rebuttal
UK /rɪˈbʌt.əl/ US /rɪˈbʌt.əl/ Syllables: re-but-tal
Quick answer
A response that argues against a claim or criticism made by someone else.
A rebuttal is an answer that tries to prove a claim or criticism wrong. In a debate, one speaker makes a point and the other offers a rebuttal with facts or reasons. Lawyers, scientists, politicians and writers use rebuttals when they reply to an accusation or an argument. A good rebuttal answers what was actually said and gives evidence. A weak one just says no. The related verb is rebut, which means to argue that something is false.
"The lawyer prepared a strong rebuttal to the opposing argument."Meanings
- A reply that argues against a claim or accusation.
- In law, evidence or argument given to oppose the other side's case.
Example sentences
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"The senator gave a sharp rebuttal to the criticism."
Level B2, Meaning 1
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"She prepared a rebuttal before the debate began."
Level B1, Meaning 1
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"The company published a full rebuttal of the report."
Level B2, Meaning 1
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"Each team had two minutes for a rebuttal."
Level B1, Meaning 2
Synonyms and antonyms
Synonyms
Look-alikes and common mistakes
- refutation : A refutation claims to prove something false for good. A rebuttal is an attempt to answer, and it may or may not succeed.
- response : Response is the general word for any reply. A rebuttal is specifically an argument against a claim.
Word family and forms
Forms: rebuttals
Word partners
Words and phrases that often go with "rebuttal".
- offer a rebuttal
- a strong rebuttal
- a point-by-point rebuttal
- in rebuttal
- issue a rebuttal
- rebuttal evidence
Origin
Rebuttal is made from the verb rebut plus the noun ending -al. It is first recorded in English in the 1820s.
Checked against: Wiktionary, the free dictionary, Dictionary.com.
How to remember it
Re means back. A rebuttal pushes an argument back to the person who made it.
Test yourself
Which word fits the gap? "The senator gave a sharp _____ to the criticism."
Answer: rebuttal
In your own words, what does "rebuttal" mean?
A response that argues against a claim or criticism made by someone else.
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Sources and credits
- Wiktionary, the free dictionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) · used for the origin · checked Oct 19, 2026
- Dictionary.com · used for the origin · checked Oct 19, 2026
Last reviewed October 19, 2026. Report a mistake on this page