debunk

American  

[dih-buhngk] / dɪˈbʌŋk /

verb (used with object)

1. to expose or excoriate (a claim, assertion, sentiment, etc.) as being pretentious, false, or exaggerated.

   to debunk advertising slogans.

   Synonyms:

   lampoon, ridicule, disparage

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debunk British  

/ diːˈbʌŋk /

verb

1. informal (tr) to expose the pretensions or falseness of, esp by ridicule

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Other Word Forms

• debunker
  noun

Etymology

Origin of debunk

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25; de- + bunk ²

Explanation

When you debunk something you show it to be false. Many magicians, including Houdini and Penn and Teller, have worked to debunk the idea that magic is anything other than a very clever illusion. To debunk something is to prove it wrong. The idea that music education is frivolous and should be the first item cut from the budget is something that music teachers work hard to debunk — in fact, they've done it by proving that students perform better in schools with strong music programs. The verb debunk was first used by an American writer, William Woodward, in 1923, to mean "take the bunk out of something." Bunk means "nonsense."

Example Sentences

The stated goal of Station Debunk was to correct all the lies getting tossed around about America’s involvement in the war.

From Slate • Nov. 10, 2022

The Master of Debunk W. Joseph Campbell corrects the record on 10 important misreported stories.

From Slate • May 21, 2010

Related Words

• demystify
• disparage
• mock
• puncture