dis·cred·it
(ˌ)dis-ˈkre-dət 
discredited; discrediting; discredits
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
1
: loss of credit (see credit entry 1 sense 3) or reputation
I knew stories to the discredit of England—
W. B. Yeats
W. B. Yeats2
: lack or loss of belief or confidence : doubt
contradictions cast discredit on his testimony
Synonyms
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
Ron Wilkins, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Nov. 2024
Trump has spent much of his final week on the campaign trail baselessly trying to discredit the legitimacy of this year’s election.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024
Ehud Yaari, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2010
Only Keynesians ascribe an ability of governments to increase demand, but that’s to the everlasting discredit of Keynesianism.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for discredit 
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Verb
But on Monday, defense attorney Andrew Baldwin sought to discredit Weber by pointing out inconsistencies in his statements to police.
—Ron Wilkins, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Nov. 2024
Trump has spent much of his final week on the campaign trail baselessly trying to discredit the legitimacy of this year’s election.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
This diplomatic stalemate discredits moderates and plays into the hands of extremists on both sides who refuse to make the concessions that any viable peace treaty will require.
—Ehud Yaari, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2010
Only Keynesians ascribe an ability of governments to increase demand, but that’s to the everlasting discredit of Keynesianism.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for discredit
Dictionary Entries Near discredit
Cite this Entry
“Discredit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discredit. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
adjective
-ə-bəl
discreditably
adverb
-blē
discredit
2 of 2 noun1
: loss of good name or respect
brought discredit on their family
2
: lack or loss of belief or confidence
bring a story into discredit
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