(ˈ)dē+ transitive verb
Etymology: de- + bunk (bunkum)
: to take the bunk out of
modern writers have debunked the old myths — Bruce Marshall
a. : to expose the sham pretensions or exaggerated claims of
the authorities were anxious that the natives gain enough literacy to debunk the witch doctors — Jerome Ellison
b. : to remove the false sentiments from
our modern tendency to debunk traditional standards of honesty, patriotism, and morality — W.C.Nau