1
as in humiliating
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
attempted to discredit her political opponents by deliberately spreading false rumors
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in denying
to think not to be true or real
I discredit the story that the old inn is haunted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in refuting
to prove to be false
the pseudoscience of phrenology has been thoroughly discredited
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discrediting
To be put in this category is discrediting.
—
Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Already, Cuba’s top diplomats have been sharing propaganda content discrediting Machado as a warmonger.
—Nora Gamez Torres, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2025
There would be accusations of race manipulation, an online mob discrediting Wallace’s win as undeserved, and an angry Joe Gibbs Racing organization, which would now realize Hamlin puts another team’s interests ahead of their own.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Further discrediting itself, Thursday’s writeup includes a marketing pitch for the SquareX platform.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2025
Wolfenbarger’s defense attorneys began to focus on discrediting Norma as a witness after prosecutors relied on her testimony to show the jury that her daughter Melissa had allegedly suffered abuse at the hands of her husband before her 1998 disappearance, according to WSB-TV.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Right-wing Channel 14 has devoted coverage in recent weeks to discrediting some reports of starving children.
—Emily Rose, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025
In the early 2000s, the program ruled against more than 5,000 claims from families who said vaccines led to their children’s autism, citing hundreds of scientific studies discrediting the link.
—Matthew Perrone, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
That’s because every time a Chinese company has the temerity to succeed stateside, protectionist impulses within the political and administrative classes get to work on discrediting the company with charges of – yes – espionage.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Already, Cuba’s top diplomats have been sharing propaganda content discrediting Machado as a warmonger.
—Nora Gamez Torres, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2025
There would be accusations of race manipulation, an online mob discrediting Wallace’s win as undeserved, and an angry Joe Gibbs Racing organization, which would now realize Hamlin puts another team’s interests ahead of their own.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Further discrediting itself, Thursday’s writeup includes a marketing pitch for the SquareX platform.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2025
Wolfenbarger’s defense attorneys began to focus on discrediting Norma as a witness after prosecutors relied on her testimony to show the jury that her daughter Melissa had allegedly suffered abuse at the hands of her husband before her 1998 disappearance, according to WSB-TV.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Right-wing Channel 14 has devoted coverage in recent weeks to discrediting some reports of starving children.
—Emily Rose, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025
In the early 2000s, the program ruled against more than 5,000 claims from families who said vaccines led to their children’s autism, citing hundreds of scientific studies discrediting the link.
—Matthew Perrone, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
That’s because every time a Chinese company has the temerity to succeed stateside, protectionist impulses within the political and administrative classes get to work on discrediting the company with charges of – yes – espionage.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discrediting
Verb
-
This announcement, humiliating the involved member, is harmful.—
Kelly G. Richardson,
Oc Register,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Indonesian government cited security and safety concerns for denying the visas, but an Israel Gymnastics Federation (IGF) spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that the country's security team gave clearance to its athletes.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The township's planning commission voted in late September to recommend denying rezoning for the project, which still must go before the county planning commission and township board.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The film spends the next hour and 50 minutes refuting that idea.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
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Michaels took to her Instagram days after the release of Fit for TV to post a series of screenshots of text chains, email threads, and other pieces of documentation refuting or otherwise complicating each claim leveled at her.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Still, the former University of Miami standout did not want to be dealt, even publicly stating that just hours after the Dolphins’ embarrassing 28-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
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For French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, the heist spotlights embarrassing security failings at one of France’s most venerable institutions.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The higher-ups are disbelieving, but Alex points out that the network has a fancy new AI that can replicate her voice in a zillion languages.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
24 Sep. 2025
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Pearl, Dale’s adult daughter, vacillates between disbelieving that her father committed suicide and blaming her mother for it.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Todd was called for holding, negating a 75-yard interception return for a score by sophomore defensive end Leroy Harris.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
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New Jersey’s penalty killers, who have been the NHL’s best this season, were having none of it, negating the man advantage without allowing a shot on goal.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Instead of shaming the poster for wearing white, the majority of Reddit users shamed her aunt.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
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Rather than shaming you for your preferences, Sohm will indulge your desires.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discrediting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discrediting. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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