English vocabulary · C1
Discredit
/dɪˈskred.ɪt/ · v., n.
To discredit someone is to make people stop trusting them. Their words or work no longer seem true or worth believing.
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Example sentences
- The fake photo discredited Sam.
- Her lies discredit the whole team.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- dis — not (from Latin)
- cred — believe (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- UNDERMINE — make less strong (Weaken trust)
- REFUTE — prove something wrong (Show a claim is false)
- SMEAR — spread harmful claims (Hurt a good name)
Words with the same root
cred — believe
- credit — trust or money borrowed
- credible — easy to believe
- credence — belief that something is true
Lesson notes
To discredit someone is to make people stop trusting them. Their words or work no longer seem true or worth believing.
Related: undermine, refute, smear. Use discredit when trust is lost.
The fake photo discredited Sam. Her lies discredit the whole team.
From Latin. dis- means not. cred- means believe. Not able to believe the story, you discredit the speaker.