discredit

1 of 2

verb

dis·​cred·​it (ˌ)dis-ˈkre-dət How to pronounce discredit (audio)
discredited; discrediting; discredits

transitive verb

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
3
: to deprive of good repute : disgrace
personal attacks meant to discredit his opponent

discredit

2 of 2

noun

1
: loss of credit (see credit entry 1 sense 3) or reputation
I knew stories to the discredit of EnglandW. B. Yeats
2
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Beyond her work as a lobbyist, Bondi solidified her reputation as a Trump loyalist by defending him on the floor of the Senate during his first impeachment and helping his efforts to discredit the 2020 election results. Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 15 Jan. 2025 The AfD has strongly rejected the designation, portraying it as a political attempt to discredit the party. Vanessa Gera, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Noun
And these are basically unpunished because the college administrators, the presidents and deans, don't want to bring discredit to their campus by having a girl take legal action that would publicize the rape. Marianne Schnall, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 And to his discredit, Judge Maxwell Wiley indulged them. The Editors, National Review, 9 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for discredit 

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of discredit was in 1548

Dictionary Entries Near discredit

Cite this Entry

“Discredit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discredit. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

discredit

1 of 2 verb
dis·​cred·​it (ˈ)dis-ˈkred-ət How to pronounce discredit (audio)
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
-ə-bəl
adjective
discreditably
-blē
adverb

discredit

2 of 2 noun
1
: loss of good name or respect
brought discredit on their family
2
: lack or loss of belief or confidence
bring a story into discredit

More from Merriam-Webster on discredit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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