Rebut
verb
To prove that something is not true or correct.
She made serious allegations against her colleagues which they have strongly rebutted.
Often appears as...
- rebut a claim
- rebut an argument
verb
To argue against something or someone in a debate or discussion.
In a court, a lawyer has the opportunity to rebut the opponent's arguments.
Often appears as...
- rebut evidence
- rebut testimony
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
verb
To prove that something is not true or correct.
She made serious allegations against her colleagues which they have strongly rebutted.
Often appears as...
- rebut a claim
- rebut an argument
verb
To argue against something or someone in a debate or discussion.
In a court, a lawyer has the opportunity to rebut the opponent's arguments.
Often appears as...
- rebut evidence
- rebut testimony
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Denying Assertions
Use 'rebut' when you need to firmly deny what someone says, especially when you have proof.
Politicians often rebut accusations in debates.
Pro Tip 2/3Strong Defense
'Rebut' suggests a strong response or comeback to challenge a statement or belief.
The scientist rebutted the theory with new evidence.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Merely Denial
'Rebut' is stronger than just saying 'no' as it usually involves explaining why the other point is wrong.
He didn't just say no; he rebutted every point with facts.
Pro Tip 1/3Denying Assertions
Use 'rebut' when you need to firmly deny what someone says, especially when you have proof.
Politicians often rebut accusations in debates.
Pro Tip 2/3Strong Defense
'Rebut' suggests a strong response or comeback to challenge a statement or belief.
The scientist rebutted the theory with new evidence.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Merely Denial
'Rebut' is stronger than just saying 'no' as it usually involves explaining why the other point is wrong.
He didn't just say no; he rebutted every point with facts.
Pro Tip 1/3Denying Assertions
Use 'rebut' when you need to firmly deny what someone says, especially when you have proof.
Politicians often rebut accusations in debates.
Pro Tip 2/3Strong Defense
'Rebut' suggests a strong response or comeback to challenge a statement or belief.
The scientist rebutted the theory with new evidence.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Merely Denial
'Rebut' is stronger than just saying 'no' as it usually involves explaining why the other point is wrong.
He didn't just say no; he rebutted every point with facts.
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Video examples
Paola Antonelli: Why I...
I'm bringing in the end of the world. You know? We were talking about the rapture? It's coming. And Jonathan Jones is making it happen. So the same Guardian rebuts, "Are video games the debate that shouldn't be. Last week, Guardian art critic blah blah suggested
Video examples
Walking in your truth as...
they rebut me I rebuttal myself see now I know you're seeing me here and you're saying well something had to get better at some point in your life you chose not only not to give up but to thrive to be
Video examples
Paola Antonelli: Why I...
I'm bringing in the end of the world. You know? We were talking about the rapture? It's coming. And Jonathan Jones is making it happen. So the same Guardian rebuts, "Are video games the debate that shouldn't be. Last week, Guardian art critic blah blah suggested
Video examples
Walking in your truth as...
they rebut me I rebuttal myself see now I know you're seeing me here and you're saying well something had to get better at some point in your life you chose not only not to give up but to thrive to be
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Brian Stelter
American Journalist
What I always tell people about Trump, or Kellyanne Conway, or Sarah Sanders, is that when you are interviewing these people, it is really more about the interviewer than the interviewee. What I mean by that is that the interviewer has to be ready to interrupt, fact-check, challenge, rebut.
Quote examples
Oliver E. Williamson
American Economist
The presumption that an extant mode is efficient if the expected net gain is negative can nevertheless be rebutted by showing that the obstacles to implementing an otherwise superior feasible alternative are 'unfair.
Quote examples
Jonathan Haidt
American Psychologist
While it is useful to rebut charges and get your arguments out in circulation, you have to understand that arguments and evidence have little impact on people as long as their feelings tilt them against you.
Quote examples
Ben Carson
American Scientist
Illogical thinkers throw names and slurs around because they have no arguments with which to rebut their opponents. Rational people have to keep hammering their points home.
Quote examples
Tom Stoppard
English Dramatist
I write plays because writing dialogue is the only respectable way of contradicting yourself. I put a position, rebut it, refute the rebuttal, and rebut the refutation.
Quote examples
Barton Gellman
American Journalist
Snowden has yet to tell me anything that was a fact that I have been able to rebut or that anybody in the U.S. government I have talked to has been able to rebut.
Quote examples
Prue Leith
South African Chef
I think the BBC likes to have Mary Berry and me around to rebut the charge of ageism.
Quote examples
Brian Stelter
American Journalist
What I always tell people about Trump, or Kellyanne Conway, or Sarah Sanders, is that when you are interviewing these people, it is really more about the interviewer than the interviewee. What I mean by that is that the interviewer has to be ready to interrupt, fact-check, challenge, rebut.
Quote examples
Oliver E. Williamson
American Economist
The presumption that an extant mode is efficient if the expected net gain is negative can nevertheless be rebutted by showing that the obstacles to implementing an otherwise superior feasible alternative are 'unfair.
Quote examples
Jonathan Haidt
American Psychologist
While it is useful to rebut charges and get your arguments out in circulation, you have to understand that arguments and evidence have little impact on people as long as their feelings tilt them against you.
Quote examples
Ben Carson
American Scientist
Illogical thinkers throw names and slurs around because they have no arguments with which to rebut their opponents. Rational people have to keep hammering their points home.
Quote examples
Tom Stoppard
English Dramatist
I write plays because writing dialogue is the only respectable way of contradicting yourself. I put a position, rebut it, refute the rebuttal, and rebut the refutation.
Quote examples
Barton Gellman
American Journalist
Snowden has yet to tell me anything that was a fact that I have been able to rebut or that anybody in the U.S. government I have talked to has been able to rebut.
Quote examples
Prue Leith
South African Chef
I think the BBC likes to have Mary Berry and me around to rebut the charge of ageism.
Example 1 of 7
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