dis·cred·it
(ˌ)dis-ˈkre-dət 
discredited; discrediting; discredits
1
: to refuse to accept as true or accurate : disbelieve
discredit a rumor
2
: to cause disbelief in the accuracy or authority of
trying to discredit the claims of a rival
a discredited theory
1
: loss of credit (see credit entry 1 sense 3) or reputation
I knew stories to the discredit of England—
W. B. Yeats
W. B. Yeats2
: lack or loss of belief or confidence : doubt
contradictions cast discredit on his testimony
Examples of discredit in a Sentence
Verb
The prosecution discredited the witness by showing that she had lied in the past.
Many of his theories have been thoroughly discredited.
an attempt to discredit the governor
Noun
to his everlasting discredit, the coach was found to have placed bets against his own team
Recent Examples on the Web
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2025
Yes, but: King's family is concerned that Trump's order to release records about his assassination could revive the FBI's attempts to discredit him — efforts that sought to exploit his indiscretions with women and undermine his legacy, sources close to his relatives told Axios.
—Russell Contreras, Axios, 20 Feb. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2025
Again; Red Sox Headed For Disaster Per PECOTA Orioles' World Series Champion Infielder, Longtime Coach Passes Away
To their discredit, the Rockies have done little to stem the tide this offseason.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discredit
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Verb
And a cover-up may have furthered the aims of domestic espionage operations like the CIA’s CHAOS and the FBI’s COINTELPRO, which targeted and discredited radical movements whether hippies, Black Panthers, or anti-war activists.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2025
Yes, but: King's family is concerned that Trump's order to release records about his assassination could revive the FBI's attempts to discredit him — efforts that sought to exploit his indiscretions with women and undermine his legacy, sources close to his relatives told Axios.
—Russell Contreras, Axios, 20 Feb. 2025
Noun
To the credit of his players and the discredit of his critics, Cronin’s team has responded by turning things around and playing some of the most active and inspired basketball in the country.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2025
Again; Red Sox Headed For Disaster Per PECOTA Orioles' World Series Champion Infielder, Longtime Coach Passes Away
To their discredit, the Rockies have done little to stem the tide this offseason.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discredit
Cite this Entry
“Discredit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discredit. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
discredit
1 of 2 verb
dis·cred·it
(ˈ)dis-ˈkred-ət
1
: to refuse to accept as true or correct : disbelieve
discredit a rumor
2
: to cause to seem dishonest or untrue
discredit a witness
3
: to destroy the good reputation of : disgrace entry 1
involvement in the scandal discredited them
discreditable
adjective
-ə-bəl
discreditably
adverb
-blē
discredit
2 of 2 noun1
: loss of good name or respect
brought discredit on their family
2
: lack or loss of belief or confidence
bring a story into discredit
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