discredit
word
Definition
To harm the reputation of someone or something, or to make people stop believing in it.
Usage & Nuances
Often formal and used in professional, legal, or academic contexts. Common collocations: 'discredit a witness,' 'discredit someone's story,' 'bring discredit to.' Not the same as 'disgrace'; 'discredit' is about belief and trust, not just shame.
Spanish: desacreditar - desprestigiarPortuguese (BR): desacreditar - difamarPortuguese (PT): desacreditar - difamarChinese (Simplified): 诋毁 - 使丧失信誉Chinese (Traditional): 詆毀 - 使名譽受損Hindi: बदनाम करना - अविश्वास करनाArabic: تشويه السمعة - فقدان المصداقيةBengali: মানহানি করা - অবিশ্বাস্য করে তোলাRussian: дискредитироватьJapanese: 信用を失わせる - 信用を傷つけるVietnamese: làm mất uy tínKorean: 신용을 떨어뜨리다 - 명예를 실추시키다Turkish: itibarını zedelemek - gözden düşürmekUrdu: بدنام کرنا - اعتبار خراب کرناIndonesian: mendiskreditkan - mencemarkan reputasi
Example Sentences
The lawyer tried to discredit the witness in court.
basic
False rumors can discredit a company.
basic
Negative media coverage can quickly discredit even the most respected leaders.
natural
He tried to discredit her achievements.
basic
He spread stories to discredit his opponent during the election.
natural
Don't let one mistake discredit all the hard work you've done.
natural