Discredit Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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discredit

[dɪsˈkrɛdɪt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

in a professional setting

Harm the good reputation of someone or something.

Synonyms

belittle, dishonor, disparage, slander.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
discredit	Use this word when you want to talk about harming someone's reputation or making people doubt something. The scandal could discredit the entire administration. His testimony was meant to discredit the witness.
disparage	Use this word when you want to criticize someone or something in a way that shows you think they are of little worth. Politicians often disparage their opponents during debates. He did not miss a chance to disparage my proposal.
belittle	Use this word when you want to describe speaking about someone or something as if they are not important. She tried to belittle his achievements. Don't belittle her efforts; she worked really hard.
dishonor	Use this word in a serious or formal context when discussing causing someone to lose respect or have a bad reputation. His actions brought dishonor on his family. To dishonor an agreement can lead to loss of trust.
slander	Use this word in legal or formal contexts when referring to making false statements that damage someone's reputation. The celebrity filed a lawsuit for slander against the tabloid. Spreading slanderous rumors can be harmful.

Examples of usage

The article aimed to discredit his achievements in the field of science.
The false accusations were intended to discredit the politician's credibility.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

in a personal context

Cause (an idea or piece of evidence) to seem false or unreliable.

Synonyms

debunk, invalidate, refute, undermine.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
discredit	Used when you want to damage someone's reputation or believability. The reporter sought to discredit the politician by highlighting his past scandals. The theory was discredited after new evidence emerged.
debunk	Appropriate when pointing out that something (e.g., a myth or idea) is not true or when exposing false information. Scientists worked to debunk the myth that you can catch a cold from cold weather. The documentary aims to debunk common misconceptions about diet and health.
refute	Relevant when proving something wrong or false, specifically an argument or claim, often with evidence or logic. The scientist provided data to refute the claims made by his critics. She refuted the allegations against her with a strong alibi.
invalidate	Used to make something (e.g., an argument, statement, or document) no longer valid or acceptable, often in a formal or legal sense. The lawyer managed to invalidate the contract due to a technical error. New evidence may invalidate the previous assumptions of the study.
undermine	Suitable when you want to weaken or damage something (e.g., someone's authority, credibility, or a foundation), often in a subtle manner. It can carry a negative connotation. The constant criticism served to undermine his confidence. Rumors were spread to undermine the CEO's authority.

Examples of usage

The forged documents were used to discredit the validity of the contract.
He tried to discredit her argument by pointing out inconsistencies in her reasoning.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

The process of discrediting someone can impact the person’s self-esteem and social standing.
Cognitive dissonance may occur when a person who has been discredited tries to reconcile their self-image with how others view them.
People are often persuaded to discredit others as a defense mechanism to reinforce their own beliefs.

Media and Politics

Discrediting tactics are common in political campaigns, where opponents may spread false information about one another.
In journalism, discrediting can lead to a loss of credibility for both the subject of a report and the publication itself.
Social media platforms have amplified discrediting efforts, allowing misinformation to spread rapidly.

Literature

Many literary works explore themes of betrayal and discrediting through character conflicts and societal critiques.
The phrase 'smear campaigns' often appears in narratives involving public figures and reflects societal dynamics.
Classic literature often portrays characters who are discredited as a means to critique societal norms and beliefs.

History

In history, various leaders or figures were discredited due to political rivalries, influencing public perception significantly.
Famous trials and investigations have seen individuals discredit evidence to shift the narrative in their favor.
The Salem witch trials involve many instances of individuals being discredited based on hearsay rather than fact.

Origin of 'discredit'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the prefix 'dis-' meaning 'not' and 'credit', which means 'trust or belief'.
It originally appeared in English writings in the early 18th century.
In Latin, the root 'credere' means 'to believe', linking the concept directly to trust.

The word 'discredit' originated from the Latin word 'discredere', which means 'to disbelieve'. It entered the English language in the late 16th century. Over time, 'discredit' has evolved to represent the act of damaging someone's reputation or casting doubt on the validity of something.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,686, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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12683 anthropological
12684 fungal
12685 observational
12686 discredit
12687 cassette
12688 popped
12689 starter
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