debunk
Prove it false
To debunk is to expose something as false, exaggerated, or unfounded—puncturing claims that have gained undeserved acceptance.
You debunk myths, conspiracy theories, or pseudoscience by showing the evidence doesn't support them: The study debunked the idea that vaccines cause autism.
The word implies the target had pretensions to truth that careful examination deflates.
Prove something untrue
- discreditHarm another's reputation
- falsifyDistort the truth
- invalidateMake null or void
- contradictDispute a statement
rebut · expose · unmask · challenge · counter · negate · confute · undermine
Make known publicly
- uncoverReveal what's hidden
- revealMake something visible
- unmaskReveal true identity
- discloseReveal hidden information
truth · discovery · unveiling · enlighten · clarify · illuminate · demystify · transparency
Erroneous belief or understanding
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- fallacyError in reasoning
- superstitionBaseless belief in omens
- tall-taleOutlandish fictional narrative
misinformation · conspiracy · pseudoscience · propaganda · disinformation · rumor · canard · fabrication
Formal examination of facts
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- researchSystematic fact-finding effort
skepticism · questioning · examination · reasoning · empiricism · rationalism · verification · methodology
refute
Prove something untrue
- discreditHarm another's reputation
- falsifyDistort the truth
- invalidateMake null or void
contradict · rebut · expose · unmask · challenge · counter · negate · confute · undermine · repudiate
expose
Make known publicly
disclose · truth · discovery · unveiling · enlighten · clarify · illuminate · demystify · transparency · awareness
misconception
Erroneous belief or understanding
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- fallacyError in reasoning
- superstitionBaseless belief in omens
tall-tale · misinformation · conspiracy · pseudoscience · propaganda · disinformation · rumor · canard · fabrication · snake-oil
investigation
Formal examination of facts
research · skepticism · questioning · examination · reasoning · empiricism · rationalism · verification · methodology · objectivity
- revealreveal, disclose, expose, unmask, unveil
- set straightcorrect, rectify, put right, straighten out, disabuse
- Fact-checkingfact check, verify, false claim, misinformation, disinformation
- skepticismdoubt, skeptic, doubts, doubtful, skeptical
debunkpropagate
Spread or breed further
perpetuate · mythologize · promote · spread · hype
debunking, debunker, debunked, debunks, debunkers, debunkings