discredit

[ dis-kred-it ]
See synonyms for discredit on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
  1. to injure the credit or reputation of; defame: an effort to discredit honest politicians.

  2. to show to be undeserving of trust or belief; destroy confidence in: Later research discredited earlier theories.

  1. to give no credence to; disbelieve: There was good reason to discredit the witness.

noun
  1. loss or lack of belief or confidence; disbelief; distrust: His theories met with general discredit.

  2. loss or lack of repute or esteem; disrepute.

  1. something that damages a good reputation: This behavior will be a discredit to your good name.

Origin of discredit

1
First recorded in 1550–60; dis-1 + credit

Other words for discredit

Other words from discredit

  • un·dis·cred·it·ed, adjective

Words Nearby discredit

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use discredit in a sentence

  • It is by no means our purpose to seek to throw discredit on any of the great religions of the world.

    Man And His Ancestor | Charles Morris
  • Open opposition was impossible, but on the following Sunday an attempt was made to discredit the new ritual by a trick.

  • It is observations of this kind, particularly, that have served to discredit craniology as an independent science.

  • They compel their votaries always to run down those who discredit their pretensions.

    Letters To Eugenia | Paul Henri Thiry Holbach
  • Buonarrotti, suspicious of the whole design, did his best to discredit Mazzini among his own men.

    The Life of Mazzini | Bolton King

British Dictionary definitions for discredit

discredit

/ (dɪsˈkrɛdɪt) /


verb(tr)
  1. to damage the reputation of

  2. to cause to be disbelieved or distrusted

  1. to reject as untrue or of questionable accuracy

noun
  1. a person, thing, or state of affairs that causes disgrace

  2. damage to a reputation

  1. lack of belief or confidence

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012