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

• reˈbuttal, noun
• reˈbuttable, adjective

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

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.

From 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.

From Time

Wright's allies went negative, but Ellzey was far more active rebutting the attacks than Wright was in making or amplifying them.

From Washington Post

The contractors rebut those charges and say servicing problems are rooted in the convoluted design of the payment system.

From Washington Post

You say something false and then cast those who correctly rebut you as your enemies.

From Washington Post

No matter how I attempt to rebut these empty slogans, they never lose their power.

From The Daily Beast

These are the facts to rebut just a few of the fallacies I read on a daily basis about our party.

From The Daily Beast

He's now running almost a full answer behind as he tries to rebut the last attack.

From The Daily Beast

Defend Obamacare with human stories, and rebut Romney on preexisting conditions.

From The Daily Beast

The White House declined to send a spokesperson to Face the Nation to rebut Senator Graham.

From The Daily Beast

We have seen what curious use he made of this theory of special missions to rebut Irish claims.

From Project Gutenberg

Modern American historians, such as Beer, themselves rebut the charge.

From Project Gutenberg

They and our lawyers will now butt and rebut as long as a goat of them is left alive on either side.

From Project Gutenberg

As Napier made no attempt to rebut that view, she dropped her head, struggling an instant with some new enemy to self-control.

From Project Gutenberg

Amazon could not be accused in connection with them, so Christian reflected, and prepared herself to rebut any such slander.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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