rebut
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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rebutsimple
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rebutssimple
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have rebuttedperfect
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has rebuttedperfect
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am rebuttingprogressive
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are rebuttingprogressive
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is rebuttingprogressive
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have been rebuttingperfect progressive
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has been rebuttingperfect progressive
Past
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rebuttedsimple
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had rebuttedperfect
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was rebuttingprogressive
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were rebuttingprogressive
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had been rebuttingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of rebut
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English reb(o)uten, from Old French rebouter, equivalent to re- re- + bouter butt 3
Explanation
To rebut is to argue against something. If your parents say you're too young and irresponsible to drive, you can rebut their claim by ticking off examples of your responsibility. When you argue against something, you rebut that position or argument. Your school's principal might rebut your teacher's argument that the class is overcrowded by pointing out that there could legally be five more kids in the class. The teacher could rebut the principal's rebuttal by observing that there aren't enough books or seats for the kids in the classroom now. Rebut comes from an old French word rebuter, meaning "to thrust back."
Vocabulary lists containing rebut
Fahrenheit 451
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Expository Writing, List 2
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Just Mercy
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"We view it both important and with precedent to rebut an incorrect scientific claim made in the DOE report," said Prof Santer, of UEA's Climatic Research Unit.
From Science Daily • Jul. 2, 2026
Writing for the majority, Roberts said that Cook deserved a chance to challenge her removal and rebut Trump's accusations, which would have to be further substantiated.
From BBC • Jun. 29, 2026
“An officer could simply invent an accusation of criminality, leaving the green-card holder trapped in a bureaucratic twilight zone for years before they have a chance to rebut the accusation at a hearing,” Mark writes.
From Slate • Jun. 25, 2026
It does not attempt to rebut ratings data or engage in traditional media criticism.
From Salon • May 23, 2026
I didn't know what they could have presented to rebut our evidence, but I'd assumed they would present something.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
