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 of discredit

Verb

• humiliate
• embarrass

Noun

• disgrace
• 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

Some of its members have advocated for open borders, and believe gender is a social construct, both of which have been fodder for inflammatory social media content from those seeking to discredit the philosophy. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

His appellate legal team has been aggressively searching for any and every legal avenue that would overturn the judge’s sentence, nullify the jury’s guilty verdict, or even discredit the very criminal law that Combs was prosecuted under. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

Noun

The trademarking of Trump To their discredit, according to voting records, Senate Democrats Kristen Arrington, Tracie Davis, Barbara Sharief and Shevrin Jones initially voted for the bill in committees. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026

No discredit to the movie, obviously. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for discredit

• accredit
• noncredit
• credit
• dedit
• edit
• microcredit

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