The -but in rebut once meant basically "butt", so rebut's original meanings were "to drive or beat back" and "to attack with violent language". Rebuttals can still be rather violent, as anyone who has watched some heated moments in a presidential debate can testify. The word is often used by lawyers, since the lawyer for the accused or for the party being sued almost always tries to rebut the charges against his or her client; but it's also used in plenty of contexts outside the courtroom.
Her lawyer attempted to rebut the witness's testimony. Stalingrad's defenders were finally able to rebut the besiegers, but only after a horrendous loss of life.
Recent Examples on the WebRoberts has spoken out repeatedly about the importance of the judiciary’s independence and to rebut perceptions of the court as a political institution not much different than Congress or the presidency. Colleen Slevin, ajc, 9 Sep. 2022 State Department officials rebut the criticism that allies weren’t consulted, telling me that Blinken immediately relayed to Biden their concerns that the pace of withdrawal should be based on the Taliban meeting certain conditions. David Montgomery, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2022 These figures do not necessarily rebut the fear that an extended trial of an ex-president might be, in some ways, an unsettling experience for the nation. Win Mccormack, The New Republic, 11 Aug. 2022 Companies can in theory rebut that presumption, but the burden is heavy. Richard Vanderford, WSJ, 4 July 2022 Memphis: The city got dragged in the comments Wednesday after officials attempted to rebut a viral TikTok that highlighted Memphis’ persistent problems with potholes. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 6 June 2022 But this boat shed in Amsterdam—crafted by Studio Piet Boon creative director Karin Meyn—will rebut any carping critics. Rachel Silva, ELLE Decor, 28 July 2022 Insurers may rebut the claim that Russia stole the lessors’ planes, turning word choice into a highly debatable issue. Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 12 July 2022 Defense lawyers cried foul when the prosecution listed additional witnesses to rebut the anticipated defense testimony. Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French reboter, from re- + boter to butt — more at butt entry 3