discredit

[dis-kred-it]

verb (used with object)

1. to injure the credit or reputation of; defame.

   an effort to discredit honest politicians.

   Synonyms: undermine, tarnish, disgrace, disparage

2. to show to be undeserving of trust or belief; destroy confidence in.

   Later research discredited earlier theories.

3. 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.

3. something that damages a good reputation.

   This behavior will be a discredit to your good name.

discredit

/ dɪsˈkrɛdɪt /

verb

1. to damage the reputation of

2. to cause to be disbelieved or distrusted

3. 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

3. lack of belief or confidence

Other Word Forms

• undiscredited adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of discredit¹

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

Example Sentences

They were adopted in reaction to a history of dangerous and discredited practices, including treatments that induced nausea and vomiting or administered electric shocks.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Felt, in classic Hoover fashion, then leaked information to discredit Gray, hoping to replace him.

Read more on Salon

Police standards say officers' behaviour must not "discredit the police service or undermine public confidence, whether on or off duty".

Read more on BBC

After a contentious discussion that at times referenced discredited theories, low-quality data and desperate pleas from physicians and patients to rely upon sound science, a key committee of the U.S.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Far from discredited, he was deemed to have acted honorably.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• defame 
• degrade 
• destroy 
• disgrace 
• disparage 
• disprove 
• ruin 
• slander 
• smear 
• vilify