debunk

verb

de·bunk (ˌ)dē-ˈbəŋk

debunked; debunking; debunks

Synonyms of debunk next

transitive verb

: to expose the sham (see sham entry 1 sense 2) or falseness of

debunk a legend

debunker noun

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To debunk something is to take the bunk out of it—that bunk being “nonsense.” (Bunk is short for the synonymous bunkum, which has political origins.) Debunk has been in use since at least the 1920s, and it contrasts with synonyms like disprove and rebut by suggesting that something is not merely untrue but is also a sham—a trick meant to deceive. One can simply disprove a myth, but if it is debunked, the implication is that the myth was a grossly exaggerated or foolish claim.

Examples of debunk in a Sentence

The article debunks the notion that life exists on Mars. The results of the study debunk his theory.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

There is no evidence to support Hegseth's claims, and, according to Clymer, the claims have been debunked by defense officials. —

Rachel Dobkin, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024 And in debunking the claims, Carey herself even acknowledged some of the visual’s faults, which may have fueled the speculation. —

Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2024 Reuters and Check Your Fact also debunked the claim. —

Andre Byik, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024 Arguments for these dietary choices have been endlessly debunked by mainstream scientists and journalists. —

Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for debunk