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

Verb

• abase
• chasten
• cheapen
• debase
• degrade
• demean
• disgrace
• dishonor
• foul
• humble
• humiliate
• lower
• shame
• sink
• smirch
• take down

Noun

• disesteem
• disgrace
• dishonor
• disrepute
• ignominy
• infamy
• obloquy
• odium
• opprobrium
• reproach
• 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

Crucially, this emerging capability to emulate human thought–like behaviors does not confirm or discredit chatbot consciousness. —Susan Schneider, Scientific American, 1 May 2025

Ministers accuse him of politically motivated investigations designed to discredit the government. —Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025

Noun

No discredit to Gene Sarazen, but that was a completely different era. —Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025

At best, the discredit caused by this type of case only amplifies a disbelief that was present at the outset and is reactivated or reinforced on this occasion. —David Chauvet, JSTOR Daily, 26 Mar. 2025

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