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The -but in rebut once meant basically "butt", so rebut's original meanings were "to drive or beat back" and "to attack with violent language". Rebuttals can still be rather violent, as anyone who has watched some heated moments in a presidential debate can testify. The word is often used by lawyers, since the lawyer for the accused or for the party being sued almost always tries to rebut the charges against his or her client; but it's also used in plenty of contexts outside the courtroom.
Synonyms
Examples of rebut in a Sentence
Hope Karnopp, Journal Sentinel, 19 Nov. 2024
The report comes out on the heels of a report from the European Central Bank (ECB) in which the institution, which has claimed that bitcoin has no fair or intrinsic value, argued that Bitcoin’s price appreciation was fueling division in society, a claim that was later rebutted by experts.
—Frank Corva, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Local and state leaders have rebutted such claims and said the rumors distract from genuine housing, schooling and health care constraints the city has faced as its immigrant population increased.
—Madison Czopek, Austin American-Statesman, 27 Sep. 2024
Popular on Variety The prosecution rebutted those claims, delivering a lengthy argument that Combs is a flight risk, a danger to the community and a repeat obstructor of justice.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 17 Sep. 2024
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Dictionary Entries Near rebut
Cite this Entry
“Rebut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebut. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rebut
verb
Legal Definition
rebut
transitive verb
Anglo-French reboter, rebuter to answer a charge, bar from an action, literally, to repulse, rebuff, from Old French reboter, from re- back + boter to push, butt
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