Debunking: meaning, definitions and examples
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debunking
[ dɪˈbʌŋkɪŋ ]
false claims
Debunking refers to the act of exposing the falseness or hollowness of a myth, idea, or belief. This process involves critical analysis, presenting evidence, and providing logical reasoning to dismantle misconceptions. It is commonly used in discussions related to pseudoscience, media, and public discourse.
Synonyms
discredit, disprove, invalidate, refute
Examples of usage
- The scientist dedicated his career to debunking various conspiracy theories.
- The article focused on debunking popular myths about nutrition.
- She found herself debunking the false claims made during the debate.
Translations
Translations of the word "debunking" in other languages:
🇵🇹 desmistificação
🇮🇳 खंडन
🇩🇪 Entlarvung
🇮🇩 pembongkaran
🇺🇦 спростування
🇵🇱 obalanie
🇯🇵 反証
🇫🇷 déconstruction
🇪🇸 desmantelamiento
🇹🇷 çürütme
🇰🇷 반박
🇸🇦 كشف الزيف
🇨🇿 vyvracení
🇸🇰 vyvrátenie
🇨🇳 揭穿
🇸🇮 razkritje
🇮🇸 afhjúpun
🇰🇿 жалғандығын анықтау
🇬🇪 გადმოწერა
🇦🇿 düzəltmə
🇲🇽 desmitificación
Word origin
The term 'debunk' originated in the early 20th century and is believed to have been first coined by American humorist and writer Hugh Ambrose in 1923. It was derived from the word 'bunk', which refers to nonsense or foolishness. The prefix 'de-' implies removal or negation, leading to the combination that means to remove the bunk or nonsense. Initially, the term was used primarily in literary contexts but has since expanded into various fields, including science, journalism, and education. Over the years, as misinformation and pseudoscience gained traction, the practice of debunking has become increasingly important, encouraging critical thinking and skepticism in society.