rebut
ri-BUT
/rɪˈbʌt/
To claim or prove that evidence or an accusation is false.
Rebut is an active process of arguing back. It doesn't necessarily mean you have succeeded in proving the other side wrong (that would be 'refute'), but that you are providing a counter-argument.
The story behind the word. The word literally means to 'butt back.' Imagine two rams hitting heads; to rebut is to push back against the force of an argument with your own force.
Word relationships
- refute: Refute means to successfully prove something is wrong; rebut is the act of trying to prove it wrong.
- deny: Deny is just saying 'it's not true'; rebut is explaining why it's not true.
- confirm: To confirm is to support the original claim.
Commonly confused with
- rebuff: Rebuff means to reject someone in an ungracious or abrupt manner; rebut is a logical counter-argument.
Word family
- rebuttal (noun): An instance of rebutting; a counter-argument.
Collocations
- rebut a claim
- rebut evidence
- powerfully rebut
Example sentences
- "The defense attorney attempted to rebut the witness's testimony by showing a video of the event." Legal Defense
- "She was given three minutes to rebut the points made by her opponent." Debate
Memory hook
Re-But: You are saying 'But...' again and again to every point they make. Push back with evidence.
When not to use
Do not use when you are simply 'denying' something; rebutting requires providing evidence or logic.
Fun facts
- In the 1800s, 'rebut' was often used in sports to describe hitting a ball back.
Explore more words
rebuttal, refute, refutation, counterattack, discredit, dispute
Also appears in
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