make a rebuttal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a rebuttal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing arguments or debates, particularly when you want to counter or refute a claim made by someone else. Example: "In response to the accusations, she was prepared to make a rebuttal that addressed each point raised by her opponent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

There is a chance for the academics to make a rebuttal, but few take it up, after all it is not the place to get into dialogue with disgruntled students.

The Guardian

For example, upon learning that Mr. Lazio's wife, Patricia, was attacking Mrs. Clinton for attacking Mr. Lazio on his record on health care in Congress, President Clinton immediately called campaign officials in New York and urged them to make a rebuttal.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

On the other side of the courtroom, Emery made a rebuttal to reporters.

The New York Times

"The facts in this case were that an accusation was made, a rebuttal was given and there was video of the match.

BBC

I made a rebuttal where I drew him.

Vice

Today, DeLano made a rebuttal post on their Facebook page to address the criticism from Mulgrew and Krauss, has received only 18 "likes" and exclusively negative comments in the four hours after it was published.

Vice

"You try to win with grace and dignity," he said after taking some postgame moments to make a colorful rebuttal to various courtside critics.

The New York Times - Sports

"They know it's a phony promise, but it's selling, and giving us a difficult challenge to make a complicated rebuttal to a simple issue," Mr. Jacobs said.

The New York Times

Dickinson made her first foray into public speaking four years later when, while attending a debate on women's rights, she became so enraged by one man's insistence that women were suited only for domesticity that she leapt to her feet to make a spontaneous rebuttal, stunning the crowd.

The New York Times

It was a coming out party of sorts for Bobby Jindal, 37, the Governor of Louisiana who was due to make a primetime televised rebuttal to President Obama's address to both houses of Congress.

Independent

The 14-year-old girl, for example, said she wanted to make "a big statement" — a rebuttal to Colonel Qaddafi's warnings that tribal strife would mire the country in an intractable civil war pitting western Tripoli against the rebels' eastern stronghold of Benghazi.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make a rebuttal" in academic or formal writing, ensure your rebuttal is well-supported with evidence and logical reasoning to effectively counter the original argument.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on emotional appeals when you "make a rebuttal". Instead, balance your emotional response with factual data and logical reasoning to present a more convincing and credible argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a rebuttal" functions as a verbal phrase, where "make" is the verb and "a rebuttal" is the noun phrase acting as the direct object. It signifies the action of presenting a counter-argument, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Social Media

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make a rebuttal" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the act of presenting a counter-argument. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is appropriate across various contexts, though it is primarily found in news, media and scientific publications. When using "make a rebuttal", it's crucial to support your claims with strong evidence rather than relying solely on emotions. Alternatives such as ""offer a counter-argument"" or "present a refutation" can provide nuanced ways to convey similar meanings, while maintaining grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer a counter-argument

Focuses on presenting an opposing argument, emphasizing the content of the response.

present a refutation

Implies a more formal and structured response, aiming to disprove a claim.

issue a rejoinder

Suggests a quick and direct response, often in a debate or discussion.

provide a response

A more general way to describe reacting to something, lacking the combative sense of "rebuttal".

formulate a defense

Emphasizes protecting a position, rather than attacking another.

deliver a riposte

Describes a sharp and witty reply, often immediate.

answer the accusation

Specifically addresses claims of wrongdoing or accusations.

disprove the claim

Highlights the act of demonstrating the falsity of a previous statement.

counter the point

Addresses specific points or arguments, rather than the entirety of a statement.

oppose the idea

Denotes basic disagreement or conflict with a stated idea.

FAQs

How to use "make a rebuttal" in a sentence?

You can use "make a rebuttal" to describe the act of responding to an argument with a counter-argument. For example, "The lawyer prepared to "offer a counter-argument" after the prosecution's opening statement."

What can I say instead of "make a rebuttal"?

You can use alternatives like ""offer a counter-argument"", "present a refutation", or "issue a rejoinder" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to "make a rebuttal"?

It is appropriate to "make a rebuttal" when you disagree with an argument or statement and wish to present a counter-argument with supporting evidence. This is common in debates, legal proceedings, and academic discussions.

What's the difference between "make a rebuttal" and "make a reply"?

"Make a reply" is a general response, while "make a rebuttal" specifically refers to a response that counters or refutes an argument. A reply can simply be an acknowledgement, while a rebuttal aims to disprove something.