rebut

[ ri-buht ]

/ rɪˈbʌt /

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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.

Nearby words

Origin of rebut

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

SYNONYMS FOR rebut

1. disprove, confute.

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

Can be confuseddeny disapprove disprove rebut refute

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for rebut

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

Another indicator that Romney managed to sell himself as moderate and Obama failed to rebut.
So Is Romney Ahead?|Michael Tomasky|October 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
On the other hand, no disinterested and unbiased evidence was secured tending to rebut these conditions.
A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents|Grover Cleveland
Mr. Gladstone replied for the government, and sought to rebut the accusations made by the leader of the Opposition.
The Grand Old Man|Richard B. Cook
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
Thou hast said sufficient to rebut the charge, in offering the oaths by the Gods, no slight proof.
The Tragedies of Euripides, Volume I.|Euripides
The expression 'on the other hand' is meant to rebut the pûrvapaksha.
The Vedanta-Sutras with the Commentary by Sankaracarya|Translator: George Thibaut

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 Formsrebuttable, 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

Word Origin and History for rebut

rebut

c.1300, "to thrust back," from Old French reboter, rebuter "to thrust back," from re- "back" (see re-) + boter "to thrust, hit" (see butt (v.)). Legalese sense of "try to disprove, refute by evidence or argument" is from 1817. Related: Rebutted; rebutting.

rebut

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

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

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Nearby words

Origin of rebut

Examples from the Web for rebut

rebut

verb -buts, -butting or -butted

Word Origin for rebut

rebut