rebut
rebut Lexical Profile
rebut Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To claim or prove that an accusation, argument, or piece of evidence is false by presenting opposing reasons or evidence.
"The defense attorney called an expert witness to rebut the prosecution's claims regarding the timeline of events."
To drive, push, or turn back an advancing force or opponent (now rare or literary).
"The sturdy seawall was engineered to rebut the relentless force of the winter storm surges."
Word Nuance & Usage
In strict usage, 'rebut' means to offer a counterargument or opposing evidence, whereas 'refute' implies successfully proving an argument to be false, though the two are frequently used interchangeably in casual contexts.
• Rhymes for rebut
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed into Middle English from Anglo-Norman 'rebuter' and Old French 'rebouter' ('to thrust back'), formed from the prefix 're-' ('back') and 'bouter' ('to strike or push'), which is of Frankish origin.