Synonyms of discrediting

discrediting

verb

present participle of discredit

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

• humiliating
• embarrassing
• disgracing
• shaming
• degrading
• insulting
• debasing
• dishonoring
• confusing
• humbling
• demeaning
• cheapening
• criticizing
• rattling
• lowering
• abasing
• ridiculing
• fouling
• diminishing
• chastening
• taking down
• minimizing
• belittling
• disparaging
• sinking
• detracting
• discounting
• slandering
• smirching
• maligning
• disconcerting
• defaming
• mortifying
• condemning
• decrying
• libeling
• confounding
• discountenancing
• castigating
• depreciating
• discomfiting
• denouncing
• flustering
• defiling
• fazing
• affronting
• bad-mouthing
• damning
• nonplussing
• censuring
• writing off
• abashing
• crying down
• putting down
• execrating
• reprobating
• reprehending

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• elevating
• exalting
• praising
• citing
• aggrandizing
• recognizing
• commending
• deifying
• honoring
• celebrating
• congratulating
• canonizing
• complimenting
• applauding
• acknowledging
• cheering
• lauding
• extolling
• boasting
• touting
• hailing
• saluting
• acclaiming
• eulogizing
• decorating
• highlighting
• promoting
• advancing
• glorifying
• spotlighting
• dignifying
• magnifying
• lifting
• raising
• boosting
• feting
• enthroning
• upgrading
• ennobling
• enshrining
• uplifting
• playing up
• idealizing
• romanticizing
• enskying

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

• denying
• disbelieving
• negating
• doubting
• refuting
• disproving
• rejecting
• distrusting
• mistrusting
• suspecting
• debunking
• deriding
• repudiating
• pooh-poohing
• scoffing (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• believing
• accepting
• swallowing
• crediting
• trusting

3

as in refuting

to prove to be false

the pseudoscience of phrenology has been thoroughly discredited

Synonyms & Similar Words

• refuting
• overturning
• disproving
• rebutting
• challenging
• falsifying
• debunking
• discussing
• confuting
• confounding
• questioning
• disconfirming
• belying
• contesting
• overthrowing
• shooting down
• doubting
• debating
• giving the lie to
• mistrusting
• querying
• talking over
• hashing (over)
• mooting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• establishing
• proving
• confirming
• verifying
• validating
• supporting
• showing
• documenting
• recording
• evidencing
• witnessing
• identifying
• corroborating
• backing (up)
• certifying
• substantiating
• demonstrating
• evincing
• attesting
• displaying
• illustrating
• manifesting
• buttressing
• authenticating
• adducing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of discrediting

The release of his diaries though, revealed some thoroughly discrediting and upsetting details about Fauci's private beliefs. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Kiryl Pazniak, 49, who hosted a popular political show on YouTube, has been convicted on the charges of discrediting Belarus and forming an extremist organization, the group said — accusations widely used by authorities to stifle critical voices. — ABC News, 2 July 2026

Defense attorney Tom Mesereau was an expert at discrediting witnesses, subjects told the filmmakers, but certain key witnesses, like Janet Arvizo, struggled to connect with the jury on their own. — Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026

My fear is that poor implementation and, above all, a failure to take accountability seriously will end up discrediting good ideas. — Rachel Canter, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026

In April 2024, Hayden agreed to pay a $5,000 civil penalty for violating conflict of interest law by allowing his office to issue an official press statement aimed at discrediting his primary opponent, Arroyo, days before the election. — Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 8 Apr. 2026

Henry’s wife Yasmin (Marisa Abela) ultimately convinces Hayley to accuse Dycker of assault, discrediting his story about Tender, and weaponizing #MeToo-era politics. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2026

Elordi and Giannulli appeared to be going strong over the next two years, with sources discrediting breakup speculation to PEOPLE in January 2024 and as the two vacationed together in Italy the following September. — Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026

Politically, the regime has rotted from within, discarding, discrediting, or detaining its own kind. — Robin Wright, New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2026