discredit

[ dis-kred-it ]
/ dɪsˈkrɛd ɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR discredit ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to injure the credit or reputation of; defame: an effort to discredit honest politicians.
to show to be undeserving of trust or belief; destroy confidence in: Later research discredited earlier theories.
to give no credence to; disbelieve: There was good reason to discredit the witness.

noun

loss or lack of belief or confidence; disbelief; distrust: His theories met with general discredit.
loss or lack of repute or esteem; disrepute.
something that damages a good reputation: This behavior will be a discredit to your good name.

Origin of discredit

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

OTHER WORDS FROM discredit

un·dis·cred·it·ed, adjective

Words nearby discredit

discovery day, discovery inlet, discovery method, discovery procedure, discreate, discredit, discreditable, discreet, discrepancy, discrepant, discrete

Words related to discredit

vilify, disgrace, smear, ruin, defame, slander, degrade, disprove, destroy, disparage, distrust, reject, shoot, slur, pooh-pooh, expose, dishonor, disesteem, explode, censure

Example sentences from the Web for discredit

British Dictionary definitions for discredit

discredit
/ (dɪsˈkrɛdɪt) /

verb (tr)

to damage the reputation of
to cause to be disbelieved or distrusted
to reject as untrue or of questionable accuracy

noun

a person, thing, or state of affairs that causes disgrace
damage to a reputation
lack of belief or confidence