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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discrediting
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
If the Knicks had that happen to them, everyone would be discrediting them.
—
David Troy Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Orbán’s rule was marked by a sprawling media ecosystem, which for years served as a loyal mouthpiece for his Fidesz party while discrediting, defaming and intimidating his opponents.
—
ABC News,
18 May 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
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2026
If the Knicks had that happen to them, everyone would be discrediting them.
—
David Troy Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Orbán’s rule was marked by a sprawling media ecosystem, which for years served as a loyal mouthpiece for his Fidesz party while discrediting, defaming and intimidating his opponents.
—
ABC News,
18 May 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discrediting
Verb
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New Yorkers will recall the assholic behavior of the Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, a swaggering builder of ships, who always seemed to delight in humiliating his managers and players.
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In her report, Soto accused Sibrian of allegedly mocking and humiliating her for her accent, immigration status and race and calling her stupid.
Verb
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University of California Health is denying reports that human bodies donated for research and education at UC San Diego in La Jolla were sold to the Navy and the Israel Defense Forces for military medical training.
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And no one is denying the tensions between certain governments.
Verb
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Two other retired judges later published their own piece refuting Gilliard’s contention.
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Anne Hathaway is refuting online speculation over whether she's had a facelift.
Verb
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The moms aren’t embarrassing their kids.
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Several other policy changes led to blowback from the public and Starmer was forced to make a series of embarrassing U-turns that provided political capital for opponents and fed beliefs that the prime minister didn’t stand for much.
Verb
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That same disbelieving fullness.
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When Mom reached Dad on the telephone in the White House pantry to commiserate over the earth-shattering news, Dad’s response was disbelieving.
Verb
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Why are adults so comfortable publicly disgracing Black teenage girls going to their prom and being cruel toward strangers who are sometimes half their age?
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The plotting becomes needlessly complicated at times, such as with Jack becoming a local hero after foiling a burglary, and later disgracing himself with a drunken tirade at a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which leads to him being arrested and put on trial.
Verb
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Republicans changed federal law to require an equal tax on private and public health insurance plans, negating a roundabout way California had used a tax on Medi-Cal plans to get more money from the federal government.
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All the game pieces in White Chess Set (1966), for instance, are the same color, leading players to confuse whose are whose—and negating the possibility of war.
Verb
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Liberals, who unfortunately make up the vast majority of sports media, will celebrate athletes endorsing/hanging out with Democrat politicians, while shaming those like Dart that dare to be conservative and Trump supporters.
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Sometimes there can be a lot of shaming in religious settings.
Cite this Entry
“Discrediting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discrediting. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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