1
as in to deny
to declare not to be true
while he was publicly refuting rumors of a merger, behind the scenes the CEO was working to effect that very outcome
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to discredit
to prove to be false
the victories of African-American athlete Jesse Owens in the 1936 Olympics effectively refuted the racial views of the Nazis
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refute
The Department of Homeland Security refutes that claim.
—
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2025
However, when reports that Musk could depart the White House in May surfaced, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt refuted them.
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2025
Live Nation has refuted the allegations, saying that its business practices not only comply with antitrust law but also benefit consumers via superior methods of ticketing.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 Apr. 2025
In an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court, acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris argued that the district judge did not have the power to grant reinstatement to thousands of probationary workers, and refuted that OPM had directed the firings in the first place.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refute
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2025
However, when reports that Musk could depart the White House in May surfaced, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt refuted them.
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2025
Live Nation has refuted the allegations, saying that its business practices not only comply with antitrust law but also benefit consumers via superior methods of ticketing.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 Apr. 2025
In an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court, acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris argued that the district judge did not have the power to grant reinstatement to thousands of probationary workers, and refuted that OPM had directed the firings in the first place.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refute
Verb
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An immigration judge denied her bond request Wednesday, citing her as a flight risk and danger to the community.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
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Citing information from an informant who officials have said is credible, the Department of Homeland Security has alleged that Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang, a claim his family and attorneys deny.—
Faris Tanyos,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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His tariffs were not based on the import taxes charged by other countries but by the size of each trade deficit, a calculation that instantly discredited the policy with many economists and investors.—
Time,
Time,
10 Apr. 2025
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Bolsonaro’s efforts to discredit the election had already found allies abroad.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The best way to avoid the tariffs, Trump has told businesses, is to make goods inside the U.S. EU officials had suggested sector-specific zero-for-zero tariffs with the U.S., such as in industrial goods and autos, but Trump rejected the idea.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
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Superior Court Judge Craig Collins from neighboring Gaston county also rejected it after Tench’s friends and family — his mother, sister and aunts — submitted and read aloud letters underlining the effect Tench’s disappearance and apparent death have had.—
Julia Coin,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Evaluations conducted over the last 30 years disprove the old notions that building a big pool of water will keep the water in reserve.—
Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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In an article in The Lancet published the same year as Diamond’s book, researchers reported the idea that 10% of children were the product of a clandestine affair, but complained there were no solid data to either confirm or disprove the figure.—
ByAndrew Curry,
science.org,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Iran’s top official appeared to contradict Trump, writing in an opinion article that talks between Tehran and Washington in Oman would be done through an intermediary.—
Filip Timotija,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
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This contradicts both the Second Chance Act and First Step Act, laws passed by Congress to ease institutional overcrowding, promote reentry, and reduce costs tied to outdated prison infrastructure.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The decision overturned a lower court ruling that had required their reinstatement, supporting Trump's efforts to downsize the federal workforce.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
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He was released after a court overturned his 40-year sentence for the kidnapping and killing of Camarena.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In a different era, this would have been the sort of excoriating appraisal that a Cabinet nominee would spend a great deal of time trying to rebut.—
Tess Owen,
The New Yorker,
30 Jan. 2025
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But Steve should be applauded for rebutting some of the nonsense Tucker's audience heard from some of those guests.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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California family discusses ongoing legal and political battle to 'save girls' sports' as issue heats up Taylor and Ryan Starling of Riverside, California discussed their ongoing lawsuit over trans inclusion in girls' sports, speaking at the state capital and all the fallout that has come with it.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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Howell discussed the increasing strain on Hollywood producers.—
Lauren Coates,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refute. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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