debunking

verb

present participle of debunk
1
as in refuting
to prove to be false a Web site that assiduously debunks urban legends

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exposing
to reveal the true nature of the investigative reporter easily debunked the charlatan's claims of clairvoyance

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 debunking As Europe prepares for its first mainland total solar eclipse since 1999, experts are debunking persistent myths. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Researchers found genetic traces of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for the deadliest form of malaria — effectively debunking the longstanding poisoning theory. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026 How the conspiracy ecosystem jumped on hantavirus Epidemiologist Katrine Wallace has built a large social media audience by debunking medical misinformation in real time. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 11 May 2026 Once someone has formed an opinion, debunking their belief can backfire, driving them to commit even more strongly to their mistake. — Robert B. Talisse, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026 This is one of the most critical details in debunking the claim. — Ryan Brennan april 1, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026 Certainly, the association with Jeffrey Epstein is not especially helpful for debunking something nefarious. — Mike Rothschild, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026 Since the 1990s, neuroscientists have accumulated evidence debunking this idea. — Alicia Garceau, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026 After stirring the pot on social media, Lisa Rinna is debunking the rumor that Colton Underwood stormed out of The Traitors reunion. — Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debunking
  1. refuting
  2. exposing
  3. uncovering
Verb
  • Many d This week, the department issued a follow-up statement refuting both of those claims.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
  • The distant thud of shelling punctuates the evening, refuting one guest’s optimism that the latest ceasefire agreement will endure.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 2026
Definition of refuting
Verb
  • There is almost always a clean way to do that without exposing you and her to unknown risks and surprises.
    — Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Recent observations of some little red dots at lower redshifts have shown the cloud of gas around the black hole begin to disintegrate, exposing the black hole and the X-rays produced by the accretion of gas onto it.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of exposing
Verb
  • These types of conversations help teens feel understood and strengthen trust, while uncovering more about what is really driving the desire to change up their look.
    — Liz Regalia, Parents, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The one-hour psychological horror thriller follows Rose (Balfe), a relentless documentary filmmaker and recently divorced mother, brilliant at uncovering others’ truths but struggling to resolve her own.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of uncovering

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debunked
debunking
debunks
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Cite this Entry

“Debunking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debunking. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on debunking

Nglish: Translation of debunking for Spanish Speakers

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