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
Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 13 May 2025
But in a possible attempt to discredit Pryor, her name and some details of her confidential complaint, available only to the mayor, commissioners and senior city employees, have been circulated publicly.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 10 May 2025
Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
At best, the discredit caused by this type of case only amplifies a disbelief that was present at the outset and is reactivated or reinforced on this occasion.
—David Chauvet, JSTOR Daily, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discredit
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Verb
The attempts to discredit women like Ventura discount the reality of their lives, Gee said.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 13 May 2025
But in a possible attempt to discredit Pryor, her name and some details of her confidential complaint, available only to the mayor, commissioners and senior city employees, have been circulated publicly.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 10 May 2025
Noun
No discredit to Gene Sarazen, but that was a completely different era.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
At best, the discredit caused by this type of case only amplifies a disbelief that was present at the outset and is reactivated or reinforced on this occasion.
—David Chauvet, JSTOR Daily, 26 Mar. 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 29 May. 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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