discredit Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun the state of being held in low esteem
disrepute.
- your actions will bring discredit to your name
- because of the scandal the school has fallen into disrepute
verb cause to be distrusted or disbelieved
- The paper discredited the politician with its nasty commentary
verb damage the reputation of
disgrace.
- This newspaper story discredits the politicians
verb reject as false; refuse to accept
disbelieve.

Cf. F. discrédit.

The act of discrediting or disbelieving, or the state of being discredited or disbelieved; as, later accounts have brought the story into discredit.
Hence, some degree of dishonor or disesteem; ill repute; reproach; -- applied to persons or things.
It is the duty of every Christian to be concerned for the reputation or discredit his life may bring on his profession. Rogers.
Syn. -- Disesteem; disrepute; dishonor; disgrace; ignominy; scandal; disbelief; distrust.

Cf. F. discréditer.

imperfect & past participle Discredited; present participle & verbal noun Discrediting

To refuse credence to; not to accept as true; to disbelieve; as, the report is discredited.
To deprive of credibility; to destroy confidence or trust in; to cause disbelief in the accuracy or authority of.
An occasion might be given to the . . . papists of discrediting our common English Bible. Strype.
To deprive of credit or good repute; to bring reproach upon; to make less reputable; to disgrace.
He. . . least discredits his travels who returns the same man he went. Sir H. Wotton.