rebut vs sanction

rebut

verb
  • To deny the truth of something, especially by presenting arguments that disprove it. 

  • To drive back or beat back; to repulse. 

sanction

verb
  • To ratify; to make valid. 

  • To penalize (a state etc.) with sanctions. 

  • To give official authorization or approval to; to countenance. 

noun
  • An approval, by an authority, generally one that makes something valid. 

  • A penalty, punishment, or some coercive measure, intended to ensure compliance; especially one adopted by several nations, or by an international body. 

  • A law, treaty, or contract, or a clause within a law, treaty, or contract, specifying any of the above. 

How often have the words rebut and sanction occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )