The Meaning of Rebuttal: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of rebuttal? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word rebuttal, including its definition, etymology, usage, example sentences, and more!

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What does the word rebuttal mean?

According to Vocabulary, Collins English Dictionary, and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the definition of a rebuttal is a speech act of refuting by the process of offering a contrary contention or argument. This word is used specifically in law to refer to a pleading by the defendant which is in response or reply to a plaintiff’s surrejoinder. This reply is intended to show fault in an opponent’s argument. These specific arguments are often seen in politics and public affairs during debates or during legal proceedings after the prosecution speaks. Rebuttal is three syllables – re-but-tal, and the pronunciation of rebuttal is ɹɪˈbʌtəl. 

During a rebuttal after the prosecutors have spoken, a defense attorney or rebuttal witnesses will bring about a contrary argument and contrary evidence against the allegations set forth. This surprise evidence might include media or clues against the prosecuting party or in defense of the accused. Rebuttal evidence is a form of evidence that can be a specific opportunity to provide different sides of a controversy. The subject matter of the evidence and prior evidence is meant to use an opportunity to the adverse party. A rebuttal can be an informal process, but in law and legal proceedings this is a basic process that has been formalized. There are special rules set forth for the rebutting party in advance of trial. A district attorney might show a warrant or other evidence. These assertions can also be used for a thesis defense. A student at Princeton University might have to provide direct evidence as to why their thesis should be accepted in front of professors. 

There are also numerous different languages that contain words that mean the same thing as the word rebuttal. You may notice that some of these words look similar to the English word rebuttal. This is because both of these words likely have a similar or the same origin. These are called cognates. Many languages that are Latin in origin have many cognates, or words that wound and mean similar things. This list of translations of rebuttal is provided by Word Hippo. You can also find translations for words in places like a German Dictionary fifth edition, Italian Dictionary 1st Edition, or Spanish Dictionary unabridged 2nd edition.

  •  Yoruba –  ṣafihan
  •  Danish –  tilbagevisning
  •  Haitian Creole –  refitasyon
  •  Czech –  vyvrácení
  •  French –  réfutation
  •  Greek –  αντίκρουση antíkrousi
  •  Korean –  반박하는 banbaghaneun
  •  Samoan –  teteʻe
  •  Maori –  whakahē
  •  Ukrainian –  спростування sprostuvannya
  •  Punjabi –  ਰਿਬਟਲ Ribaṭala
  •  Telugu –  ఖండనను Khaṇḍananu
  •  Urdu –  بغاوت
  •  Indonesian –  bantahan
  •  Somali –  dib u dhac
  •  Xhosa –  ku rhoxisa
  •  Croatian –  pobijanje
  •  German –  Widerlegung
  •  Igbo –  weghachite
  •  Italian –  confutazione
  •  Finnish –  kiistäminen
  •  Tamil –  விவாதித்தல் Vivātittal
  •  Malayalam –  മറുപടിയായി maṟupaṭiyāyi
  •  Vietnamese –  bác bỏ
  •  Hebrew –  הַכחָשָׁה
  •  Zulu –  ukuphindaphinda
  •  Japanese –  反論 Hanron
  •  Spanish –  refutación
  •  Irish –  briseadh
  •  Hungarian –  cáfolat
  •  Amharic –  መቃወም mek’awemi
  •  Norwegian –  innsigelsen
  •  Hindi –  खंडन Khaṇḍana
  •  Dutch –  weerlegging
  •  Farsi –  تقبیح
  •  Bengali –  খণ্ডন Khaṇḍana
  •  Arabic –  rad – رد
  •  Gujarati –  ખંડન Khaṇḍana
  •  Malay –  penolakan
  •  Latin –  confutatio desit
  •  Filipino –  rebuttal
  •  Kannada –  ಖಂಡನೆ Khaṇḍane
  •  Russian –  опровержение oproverzheniye
  •  Marathi –  खंडन Khaṇḍana
  •  Polish –  obalenie
  •  Cebuano –  pagsupak
  •  Portuguese –  refutação
  •  Swahili –  rebuttal
  •  Icelandic –  rebuttal
  •  Turkish –  çürütme
  •  Serbian –  побијање pobijanje
  •  Yiddish –  rebuttal – רעבוטטאַל
  •  Chinese –  反驳 Fǎnbó
  •  Scots Gaelic –  ath-bheothachadh
  •  Swedish –  vederläggning
  •  Afrikaans –  weerlegging
  •  Thai –  การโต้แย้ง Kār tôyæ̂ng
  •  Nepali –  विवादास्पद Vivādāspada
  •  Hmong –  rebuttal

How can the word rebuttal be used in a sentence?

The word rebuttal can be used in many different ways in various sentences. Try using this word of the day in a sentence today! Below are a few examples of a rebuttal to get you started. 

While the other Americans turned their noses up at the hominy and wholesome grains Johny brought, he offered the rebuttal that Benjamin Franklin enjoyed this easily digestible breakfast of pleasing varieties in the olden days, and it was considered a delicacy. This, along with other foods from the India company like the Yorkshire muffin and Indian corn, were enjoyed by all.

When his former colleagues tried to register, they were met with invalidation. Tom Robinson offered a rebuttal and said that since they all swore in with their left hand and not their right hand, they were unable to attend. They did not use the only good hand for the oath. 

What are synonyms and antonyms of rebuttal?

There are many different words that one can use in place of the word rebuttal that have a similar or the same meaning. These words and phrases are known as synonyms. Synonyms are a very useful English grammatical device to know because they can help people avoid repeating themselves while also growing their vocabulary. This list of synonyms for the word rebuttal is provided by Power Thesaurus

  •  return
  •  rejoinder
  •  confutation
  •  observation
  •  disavowal
  •  wisecrack
  •  defense
  •  advice
  •  contradictions
  •  key
  •  justification
  •  refutation
  •  antiphon
  •  nullification
  •  countering
  •  declination
  •  adjuration
  •  challenge
  •  abrogation
  •  denials
  •  repudiation
  •  backcap
  •  remark
  •  answer
  •  repeal
  •  invalidation
  •  statement abnegation
  •  acknowledgment
  •  counterclaims
  •  dissent
  •  opposition
  •  replication
  •  disclaimer
  •  controversion
  •  surrejoinder
  •  plea
  •  reply
  •  retraction
  •  disaffirmation
  •  counter-argument
  •  disprove
  •  opinion
  •  contradiction
  •  riposte
  •  refusal
  •  response
  •  back talk
  •  snappy comeback
  •  abnegation
  •  reaction
  •  comment
  •  denial
  •  dispute
  •  counteraccusation
  •  refutations
  •  traversal
  •  view
  •  brush-off
  •  pointer
  •  explanation
  •  comeback
  •  aftershock
  •  feedback
  •  counterreply
  •  counterstatement
  •  surrebuttal
  •  rejection
  •  disapproval
  •  objection
  •  assessment
  •  refutal
  •  contraremonstrance
  •  renouncement
  •  interpretation
  •  criticism
  •  evaluation
  •  thank-you note
  •  revocation
  •  countercharge
  •  argument
  •  snappy answer
  •  counterclaim
  •  sign
  •  sentiment
  •  veto
  •  surrebutter
  •  retort
  •  refuting
  •  counterargument
  •  disproving
  •  disproof
  •  rebutter
  •  cancellation
  •  negation
  •  repartee
  •  antiphons
  •  rebuff
  •  negations
  •  retaliation
  •  demurrer

There are also numerous different words that have the opposite meaning of the word rebuttal. These opposite words are known as antonyms. Antonyms are also very useful to know to expand a person’s vocabulary. This list of antonyms for the word rebuttal is also provided by Power Thesaurus.

  •  assent
  •  general theory
  •  assertion
  •  empowerment
  •  challenge
  •  validation
  •  corroboration
  •  nihil obstat
  •  approbation
  •  blessing
  •  generic approach
  •  consent
  •  focus sentence
  •  documentation
  •  mandate
  •  general statement
  •  nod
  •  endorsement
  •  substantiation
  •  basic terms
  •  proof
  •  agreement
  •  blanket approach
  •  blanket policy
  •  general policy
  •  authorization
  •  allowance
  •  authority
  •  confession
  •  accreditation
  •  example
  •  evidence
  •  general policies
  •  admission
  •  licence
  •  acquiescence
  •  leave
  •  imprimatur
  •  liberty
  •  application form
  •  clearance
  •  green light
  •  acclamation
  •  acceptance
  •  confirmation
  •  broad statement
  •  approval
  •  freedom
  •  go-ahead
  •  dispensation

Overall, the word rebuttal means a refutation of the charges or an argument against one that already stands. This word is often used in legal proceedings. 

Sources:

  1. Translations for rebuttal – mek’awemi | Word Hippo 
  2. Rebuttal | Vocabulary 
  3. Rebuttal antonyms – 206 Opposites of Rebuttal | Power Thesaurus  
  4. Rebuttal synonyms – 349 Words and Phrases for Rebuttal | Power Thesaurus