debunk

/diːˈbʌŋk/ (bre, ipa) · /diːˈbʌŋk/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)dē-ˈbəŋk/ (ame, mw)

debunk — verb

  • debunkpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • debunkshe / she / it
  • debunkedpast simple
  • debunking-ing form

1. to show with facts that a popular belief, story, or claim is false or exaggerate

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to show with facts that a popular belief, story, or claim is false or exaggerated.

例句

Bao used school records to debunk the rumor about missing lunch money.

debunk + rumor about ...

After the test flight, Zayd debunked claims that the new bridge shook dangerously.

debunk + claims that-clause

同義詞
  • expose

    broader word that can reveal lies, secrets, or wrongdoing, not only false beliefs

  • disprove

    more technical and focused on evidence against a statement or theory

  • refute

    more formal and common in argument, essays, or debate

  • dismiss

    can reject an idea without fully proving it false

文法句型

debunk + myth/rumor/claim

debunk + the idea that-clause

debunk + story/theory/hoax

用法筆記

Object is usually a myth, rumor, claim, or public story rather than a person or physical thing. This verb is common when someone explains to a wider audience why a shared idea does not match the facts.

常見錯誤

❌The report debunked that the medicine worked.
✅The report debunked the claim that the medicine worked.
💡'debunk' takes the false idea as its object, not a bare that-clause.
❌She debunked about the video online.
✅She debunked the video online.
💡Put the rumor or story directly after 'debunk'; do not add 'about'.