rebut
2 synonyms and 2 antonyms for rebut, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To force something or someone backwards, pushing it away.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
2. verb
To argue that a claim is false, usually by giving evidence against it.
“Rebutting allegations that Scotland's railways had been deliberately run down, he pointed out that in the past nine years over £70m had been spent on their development.”
Opposites
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English rebutten, rebouten, which came from Old French reboter, rebuter, rebouter and similar forms, from re- plus boter, buter, bouter (“to butt”). It entered English around 1302–1307.
Full origin of rebut →