rebut

[ ri-buht ]

verb (used with object)

, re·but·ted, re·but·ting.

1. to refute by evidence or argument.

   Synonyms: confute, disprove

2. to oppose by contrary proof.

verb (used without object)

, re·but·ted, re·but·ting.

1. to provide some evidence or argument that refutes or opposes.

rebut

/ rɪˈbʌt /

verb

1. tr to refute or disprove, esp by offering a contrary contention or argument

Derived Forms

• reˈbuttable, adjective
• reˈbuttal, noun

Other Words From

• re·butta·ble adjective
• unre·butta·ble adjective
• unre·butted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebut¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English reb(o)uten, from Old French rebouter, equivalent to re- re- + bouter butt ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebut¹

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

Example Sentences

And despite the combined efforts of the world’s best-resourced and most scrupulous journalistic organizations to rebut it—despite the great care these groups took to investigate the claim, to show their work, to avoid the appearance of bias, and to package their output to appeal to as many people as possible—most of Donald Trump’s supporters continued to insist that his inept lie was actually true.

From Slate

For presumptively immune official acts, the government may rebut the presumption by showing that prosecution would pose “no ‘dangers of intrusion on the authority and functions of the Executive Branch.’

From Slate

You have to do the investigation, you have to talk to witnesses, you have to prepare witnesses, you have to know what the other side’s going to say, you have to be prepared to rebut it.

From Slate

Nowhere are the stakes clearer and the difficulty of the task more explicit than when Smith attempts to rebut the presumptive immunity the court offered in regard to Trump’s conversations with Pence seeking to pressure him not to certify the electoral vote:

From Slate

The internal MoD documents disclosed in court on Monday showed that, despite the department’s conclusion that there were “broadly accurate” allegations in the letter from the BBC, officials “should continue to resist allegations of widespread systemic abuse and criminal behaviour” and “should rebut Panorama’s allegations about investigations and decisions being improperly influenced”.

From BBC

Related Words

• deny
• disprove
• fend off
• invalidate
• negate
• quash
• refute