debunk
An idea or claim that's been proven false by research or evidence can be debunked. A myth about how ancient civilizations built their pyramids might be debunked.
When we say something has been debunked, we mean it's no longer considered true because new information came to light and showed it was actually wrong all along. Imagine watching a detective show where the protagonist discovers a web of lies and finally figures out what really happened. The whole story gets turned around when the truth comes out – that's when it gets debunked! News programs, science writers, and even social media users might use this word to describe how they've found new evidence or facts that contradict what was previously believed.
How common is "debunk"?
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
verb
(transitive) To discredit, or expose to ridicule the falsehood or the exaggerated claims of something.
Example: The explosion story was thoroughly debunked on National Public Radio in November 1999.
Real examples of "debunk" in context
