WordValerebut
to argue against by offering opposing evidence
In more detail
1. (verb) to argue against something or prove it wrong by providing evidence or reasoning
2. (verb) to deny or reject a claim or accusation
Examples
- 1. The scientist rebutted the criticism by presenting new experimental data.
- 2. The defendant rebutted the prosecutor's allegations with witness testimony.
How to use rebut
Rebut means to respond to an argument or claim with evidence or reasoning that proves it wrong or challenges its validity. It is more formal and deliberate than simply disagreeing, and typically implies a structured response with substantive counterarguments. It is commonly used in legal, academic, and formal debate contexts.
Common phrases
- rebut an argument
- rebut a claim
- rebut an accusation
- rebut the charges
- effectively rebut
Synonyms
refute · contradict · disprove · counter · challenge
Opposites
concede · accept · agree
Word family
rebuttal (noun) · rebuttable (adjective)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse rebut with refute; while refute typically means to prove something false with evidence, rebut emphasizes the act of arguing against or responding to something, which may or may not definitively prove it wrong.
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