prebuttal
|pre-but-tal|
/priːˈbʌtəl/
a pre-emptive counterargument
Etymology
'prebuttal' is a modern compound formed from the prefix 'pre-' (from Latin 'prē-', meaning 'before') + 'rebuttal' (the noun derived from the verb 'rebut', meaning 'to refute').
'rebuttal' comes from the verb 'rebut' (from Anglo-French/Old French roots meaning 'to repel or drive back'), and the noun 'rebuttal' developed in Early Modern English. 'pre-' as a productive prefix was attached to create the newer formation 'prebuttal' in recent decades, especially in political and debate contexts.
Originally the components meant 'before' + 'a refutation'; over time the compound came to denote a specific rhetorical move: an anticipatory refutation or statement made to pre-empt opposition.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a response or argument presented in advance of an expected rebuttal; an anticipatory refutation intended to pre-empt opposing points.
The candidate delivered a concise prebuttal to address likely criticisms before they were raised.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
in formal debate or public speaking, a short statement made to head off an opponent's expected points, often used strategically to reduce the impact of later counterarguments.
During the debate, her prebuttal weakened several of her opponent's planned lines of attack.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/26 10:22