debunked

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "debunked" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe something which is proved to be false or erroneous, and can be used in many types of writing. Example sentence: The conspiracy theories surrounding the moon landing were debunked after the detailed evidence was released to the public.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Edge: Cleveland Dr Mehmet Oz, born in Cleveland to Turkish immigrants, went from Oprah-approved surgeon and TV personality to peddler of miracle weight-loss products debunked before a Senate subcommittee.

The Guardian - Sport

When football commentator Richard Keys argued that the blog figures were inaccurate, he was debunked in the Daily Express.

The Guardian

Books such as Gerald Posner's "Case Closed" have painstakingly debunked the various alternative theories: that he fell victim to multiple gunmen, elaborate plots involving the CIA, the Mafia and who knows what other shadowy groups.

The Economist

Yet suddenly, as other orthodoxies are debunked and the government itself faces ejection, the consensus for war seems to be breaking too.In this section Angels and demons No farewell to arms Bang to rights The chancellor's eyebrows Top-up teaching Unintended consequences Ready for his close-up?

The Economist

At a time when agricultural experts are getting hot under the collar about an Indian village whose claims to be smashing rice-growing records have been extolled here and debunked here, it is useful to have a cool global appraisal of the state of genetically-modified (GM) crops, traditionally seen as most likely source of a new green revolution or (alternatively) as a disaster in embryo.

The Economist

As such it is certainly a breath of fresh air; recognising a problem is the first step towards its solution.Kevin Albertson Principal lecturer in economics Manchester Metropolitan University SIRRatherthan than being "debunked", the conclusions of our book "The Spirit Level" have been substantially confirmed by numerous independent analyses.

The Economist

But it is still spouting some arguments that the 2001 report privately debunked.

The Economist

Jamie Malanowski debunked the New York Post story on finance workers turning to stripping.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

These are papered up around Rathmines, nice to see something positive on the walk to work #RefugeesWelcome pic.twitter.com/T1DoRhJWV9 The seven debunked rumours are as follows: 1)   "We don't have space" Debunk: "There are over 250,000 empty homes in the country" 2)   "What about our own?" Debunk: "1 in 6 people born in Ireland live abroad; the world looks after 'our own'.

Independent

The measles outbreak has renewed a debate over the so-called anti-vaccination movement in which fears about potential side effects of vaccines, fueled by now-debunked research suggesting a link to autism, have led a small minority of parents to refuse to allow their children to be inoculated.

The Guardian

The vast majority of news stories and opinion columns published by the dominant Murdoch press in Australia, as one study has documented, promote long-debunked fringe views on climate science.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "debunked", ensure that you have credible evidence to support the claim that something has been proven false. Avoid using it loosely based on personal opinion alone.

Common error

Avoid presenting a claim as definitively "debunked" if there's still ongoing debate or incomplete evidence. Use qualifiers like "largely debunked" or "widely debunked" when appropriate to reflect the nuance of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The word "debunked" functions primarily as a verb in the past tense or as a past participle. It describes the action of proving something to be false. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to describe the refutation of claims and theories.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "debunked" is a versatile verb that means to expose the falseness of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples from diverse sources, including news outlets, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, highlight its relevance in various fields. The analysis reveals that "debunked" commonly appears in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science contexts. Alternatives like "disproved", "refuted", and "invalidated" offer nuanced ways to express the same concept. When using "debunked", it is important to ensure sufficient evidence supports the claim. Avoiding overstatements about something definitively "debunked" is also crucial when there is still debate or a lack of complete evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disproved

Focuses on demonstrating that something is not true or correct.

refuted

Emphasizes a formal or structured argument against something.

invalidated

Highlights the process of making something legally or officially void.

exposed as false

Clearly indicates the revealing of something's untrue nature.

shot down

Suggests a forceful and decisive rejection of an idea or claim.

demolished

Implies a thorough and complete destruction of an argument or belief.

unmasked

Focuses on revealing the true nature of something previously hidden.

negated

Highlights the nullification or denial of a statement or concept.

overturned

Suggests reversing a previous decision or belief.

exploded

Implies the sudden and dramatic exposure of falsehood.

FAQs

How to use "debunked" in a sentence?

Use "debunked" to describe a claim, theory, or idea that has been proven false through evidence or argument. For example, "The study "debunked the myth" that vaccines cause autism."

What can I say instead of "debunked"?

You can use alternatives like "disproved", "refuted", or "invalidated" depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance in meaning.

Which is correct, "debunked" or "unbunked"?

"Debunked" is the correct term. "Unbunked" is not a standard English word and would not be understood in most contexts. Use "debunked" to indicate something has been proven false.

What's the difference between "debunked" and "discredited"?

"Debunked" implies that something has been proven false with evidence. "Discredited" suggests that something has lost credibility or reputation, often due to scandal or poor performance. A theory can be "discredited" without necessarily being definitively debunked.