discredit

1 of 2

verb

dis·​cred·​it (ˌ)dis-ˈkre-dət 

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 England

—W. B. Yeats

2

: lack or loss of belief or confidence : doubt

contradictions cast discredit on his testimony

Synonyms

Verb

• abase
• chasten
• cheapen
• debase
• degrade
• demean
• disgrace
• dishonor
• foul
• humble
• humiliate
• lower
• shame
• sink
• smirch
• take down

Noun

• disesteem
• disgrace
• dishonor
• disrepute
• ignominy
• infamy
• obloquy
• odium
• opprobrium
• reproach
• shame

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

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 Russia’s continuing quagmire in Ukraine discredits any Russian claim to superpower status. —Armstrong Williams, Orange County Register, 13 Jan. 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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

-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