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
Synonyms
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 WebCaleb Nunes, National Review, 8 Sep. 2023
The president rejects the charge, accusing rich, right-wing adversaries of trying to discredit him because of his fight against corruption and dedication to the poor.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023
During her unsuccessful 2022 primary run against Sen. Mike Lee, Edwards criticized Lee for backing Trump’s efforts to discredit the 2020 election results.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 Sep. 2023
Despite his support for the movement, he’s been labeled by some on the far right as a deep state agent working to discredit Trump, the outlet reported.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2023
The junta dismissed these reports Sunday night and accused West African politicians and international partners of fueling a disinformation campaign to discredit the junta.
—Time, 14 Aug. 2023
Russian state media, meanwhile, broadcast images intended to discredit Mr. Prigozhin’s commando persona, including of the mercenary leader in wigs and crude disguises, such as an Islamist-style beard and wraparound sunglasses.
—Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2023
The attacks may have done less to discredit the newcomer than to elevate him as an intriguing and well-differentiated voice.
—Molly Ball, Time, 24 Aug. 2023
Consider the case of Father Ioann Burdin, a pacifist village priest in the Kostroma region northeast of Moscow: after his parishioners informed on him, he was fined for discrediting the army in his sermons and in March 2023, was banned from leading services.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 22 Aug. 2023
Jeremy Gorner, chicagotribune.com, 5 Aug. 2021
Two weeks after the riot, the left-leaning Campaign for Accountability made a similar request for probes to determine if several House members may have incited a riot or brought discredit to Congress, among other potential violations of federal law and the rules of the House of Representatives.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 11 Mar. 2021
Judge Sophia Hall ruled the Chicago Police Board made a sound decision in dismissing Officer Ricardo Viramontes last year for several Chicago Police Department rule violations, including making false statements, bringing discredit to the department and failing to promote its goals.
—Jeremy Gorner, chicagotribune.com, 10 Dec. 2020
Alex Wolinski faces dismissal for eight different police department rule violations — ranging from bringing discredit to the department and failing to promote its efforts to disrespecting a person and incompetency — according to city records filed last week to the Chicago Police Board.
—Jeremy Gorner, chicagotribune.com, 10 Nov. 2021
The regrettable attack on Nat (King) Cole in Birmingham by a band of hoodlums redounds to the everlasting discredit of those who foster race prejudice.
—al, 10 Apr. 2021
But there are other, general standards in place that apply and forbid officers from conduct that would bring discredit to the department, Sarnow said.
—Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2023
No discredit to anybody else.
—Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Mar. 2023
Just because, no discredit to the refs.
—Michelle Gardner, The Arizona Republic, 14 Dec. 2022
See More
Verb
In many schools, public and private alike, students are taught that the ideas contained in our founding documents are discredited by slavery.
—Caleb Nunes, National Review, 8 Sep. 2023
The president rejects the charge, accusing rich, right-wing adversaries of trying to discredit him because of his fight against corruption and dedication to the poor.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023
During her unsuccessful 2022 primary run against Sen. Mike Lee, Edwards criticized Lee for backing Trump’s efforts to discredit the 2020 election results.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 Sep. 2023
Despite his support for the movement, he’s been labeled by some on the far right as a deep state agent working to discredit Trump, the outlet reported.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2023
The junta dismissed these reports Sunday night and accused West African politicians and international partners of fueling a disinformation campaign to discredit the junta.
—Time, 14 Aug. 2023
Russian state media, meanwhile, broadcast images intended to discredit Mr. Prigozhin’s commando persona, including of the mercenary leader in wigs and crude disguises, such as an Islamist-style beard and wraparound sunglasses.
—Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2023
The attacks may have done less to discredit the newcomer than to elevate him as an intriguing and well-differentiated voice.
—Molly Ball, Time, 24 Aug. 2023
Consider the case of Father Ioann Burdin, a pacifist village priest in the Kostroma region northeast of Moscow: after his parishioners informed on him, he was fined for discrediting the army in his sermons and in March 2023, was banned from leading services.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 22 Aug. 2023
Noun
The officers, both cops since November 2017, face allegations of numerous rule violations, ranging from bringing discredit to the department and engaging in an unjustified verbal or physical altercation, to incompetency or inefficiency during the performance of their duties.
—Jeremy Gorner, chicagotribune.com, 5 Aug. 2021
Two weeks after the riot, the left-leaning Campaign for Accountability made a similar request for probes to determine if several House members may have incited a riot or brought discredit to Congress, among other potential violations of federal law and the rules of the House of Representatives.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 11 Mar. 2021
Judge Sophia Hall ruled the Chicago Police Board made a sound decision in dismissing Officer Ricardo Viramontes last year for several Chicago Police Department rule violations, including making false statements, bringing discredit to the department and failing to promote its goals.
—Jeremy Gorner, chicagotribune.com, 10 Dec. 2020
Alex Wolinski faces dismissal for eight different police department rule violations — ranging from bringing discredit to the department and failing to promote its efforts to disrespecting a person and incompetency — according to city records filed last week to the Chicago Police Board.
—Jeremy Gorner, chicagotribune.com, 10 Nov. 2021
The regrettable attack on Nat (King) Cole in Birmingham by a band of hoodlums redounds to the everlasting discredit of those who foster race prejudice.
—al, 10 Apr. 2021
But there are other, general standards in place that apply and forbid officers from conduct that would bring discredit to the department, Sarnow said.
—Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2023
No discredit to anybody else.
—Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Mar. 2023
Just because, no discredit to the refs.
—Michelle Gardner, The Arizona Republic, 14 Dec. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'discredit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near discredit
Cite this Entry
“Discredit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discredit. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.
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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
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
More from Merriam-Webster on discredit
Nglish: Translation of discredit for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of discredit for Arabic Speakers
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