rebut
rih-BUTverbMeaning to argue against a claim by giving an answer
Memory hook RE-BUT: bounce it right BACK. Each time Maya makes a point, Dev bounces an answer right back, like a ball off a wall. He rebuts every claim, though he may not win.
Each speaker had two minutes to rebut the other side’s points.
In context The lawyer rose to rebut the witness, pointing out that the street lamp had been broken that night; whether the jury believed her was another matter.
Similar counter, answer, contradict, dispute
Opposite accept, concede, agree with
From Old French reboter, “to push back.”