rebut

[ ri-buht ]

/ rɪˈbʌt /

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See synonyms for: rebut / rebutted / rebutting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), re·but·ted, re·but·ting.

to refute by evidence or argument.

to oppose by contrary proof.

verb (used without object), re·but·ted, re·but·ting.

to provide some evidence or argument that refutes or opposes.

OTHER WORDS FOR rebut

1 disprove, confute.

See synonyms for rebut on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of rebut

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English reb(o)uten, from Old French rebouter, equivalent to re- re- + bouter butt³

OTHER WORDS FROM rebut

re·but·ta·ble, adjectiveun·re·but·ta·ble, adjectiveun·re·but·ted, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rebut

deny, disprove, rebut , refute

Words nearby rebut

rebuff, rebuild, rebuke, rebus, rebus sic stantibus, rebut, rebuttal, rebutter, rec, recalcitrant, recalcitrate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use rebut in a sentence

The elected board members rebutted Miller’s allegations, saying their focus was on pushing new policies to benefit students at a time when study after study was making clear the national toll of so much time out of the classroom during the pandemic.
Error-riddled ethics reports on school board create political firestorm in Prince George’s County|Rachel Chason, Donna St. George|August 24, 2021|Washington Post
He said integration was a simple question of following court orders, and he rebutted the governor’s claim that the federal government was poised to send troops.
How Robert F. Kennedy Shaped His Brother's Response to Civil Rights|Patricia Sullivan|August 11, 2021|Time
Wright's allies went negative, but Ellzey was far more active rebutting the attacks than Wright was in making or amplifying them.
The Trailer: Who sponsored this message? Why you're seeing so many ads so far from the midterms.|David Weigel|July 29, 2021|Washington Post
The contractors rebut those charges and say servicing problems are rooted in the convoluted design of the payment system.
One of the nation’s largest student loan servicers plans to cut ties with the Education Department|Danielle Douglas-Gabriel|July 8, 2021|Washington Post

You say something false and then cast those who correctly rebut you as your enemies.
The alarming downward spiral of the election-fraud conspiracy theory|Philip Bump|June 24, 2021|Washington Post
No matter how I attempt to rebut these empty slogans, they never lose their power.
Why the South Loves Guns|David Sessions|December 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
These are the facts to rebut just a few of the fallacies I read on a daily basis about our party.
The Truth About Yisrael Beytenu|Hamad Amar|November 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He's now running almost a full answer behind as he tries to rebut the last attack.
Debate Liveblogging|Megan McArdle|October 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Defend Obamacare with human stories, and rebut Romney on preexisting conditions.
Michael Tomasky on the 8 Things Obama Needs to Do in the Debate|Michael Tomasky|October 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The White House declined to send a spokesperson to Face the Nation to rebut Senator Graham.
Sunday Talk: Stephen Colbert, Lindsey Graham, & More (Video)|The Daily Beast Video|October 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
We have seen what curious use he made of this theory of special missions to rebut Irish claims.
The Life of Mazzini|Bolton King
Modern American historians, such as Beer, themselves rebut the charge.
The Outline of History: Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind|Herbert George Wells
They and our lawyers will now butt and rebut as long as a goat of them is left alive on either side.
The Life and Letters of Walter H. Page, Volume II|Burton J. Hendrick
As Napier made no attempt to rebut that view, she dropped her head, struggling an instant with some new enemy to self-control.
The Messenger|Elizabeth Robins
Amazon could not be accused in connection with them, so Christian reflected, and prepared herself to rebut any such slander.
Mount Music|E. Oe. Somerville and Martin Ross

British Dictionary definitions for rebut

rebut

/ (rɪˈbʌt) /

verb -buts, -butting or -butted

(tr) to refute or disprove, esp by offering a contrary contention or argument

Derived forms of rebut

rebuttable, adjectiverebuttal, noun

Word Origin for rebut

C13: from Old French reboter, from re- + boter to thrust, butt ³

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

rebut

OTHER WORDS FOR rebut

Origin of rebut

OTHER WORDS FROM rebut

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rebut

Words nearby rebut

Words related to rebut

How to use rebut in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rebut

Derived forms of rebut

Word Origin for rebut