DEBUNKED Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

debunked

verb

past tense of debunk

as in refuted

to prove to be false a Web site that assiduously debunks urban legends

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as in exposed

to reveal the true nature of the investigative reporter easily debunked the charlatan's claims of clairvoyance

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of debunked Why prominent officials have often gravitated toward an economic sales pitch for the downtown stadium — one that can be debunked with evidence — is confounding. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026 While several of its claims were debunked by independent media shortly after its release, the video triggered a series of government actions in Minnesota. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026 This is a very simple example, and one easily debunked by running the text through a reader that lists all the characters. — Nisha Talagala, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 By the time meteorologists debunked the temperature spike, the user had deleted their Polymarket account. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 That belief was debunked long ago, but the tusks remain popular souvenirs in Canada and Greenland. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026 The links between autism and vaccines have been debunked by many studies. — Rob Stein, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026 The administration has also continued to promote further research into vaccines and their potential effects, including claims about a connection between vaccines and autism that the scientific community has debunked. — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026 Trump has long denied his loss to Biden, though his claims have been repeatedly debunked. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 22 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for debunked

Verb

The State Department has refuted the allegations against Chen.

— Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
The State Department has refuted arguments that funding cuts contributed to a slower response to the virus.

— Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of refuted

Verb

Under new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson, USC shut out San Jose Staté in the first half, but its depth issues on defense were exposed in the fourth quarter.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
High humidity and sweltering heat accelerated decomposition, compounding the challenges as health experts warned that leaving the remains exposed could increase the risk of disease.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of exposed

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“Debunked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debunked. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of debunked

verb

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