1
as in humiliating
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
attempted to discredit her political opponents by deliberately spreading false rumors
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in denying
to think not to be true or real
I discredit the story that the old inn is haunted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in refuting
to prove to be false
the pseudoscience of phrenology has been thoroughly discredited
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discrediting
Kiryl Pazniak, 49, who hosted a popular political show on YouTube, has been convicted on the charges of discrediting Belarus and forming an extremist organization, the group said — accusations widely used by authorities to stifle critical voices.
—
ABC News,
2 July 2026
Defense attorney Tom Mesereau was an expert at discrediting witnesses, subjects told the filmmakers, but certain key witnesses, like Janet Arvizo, struggled to connect with the jury on their own.
—
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2026
If the Knicks had that happen to them, everyone would be discrediting them.
—
David Troy Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
My fear is that poor implementation and, above all, a failure to take accountability seriously will end up discrediting good ideas.
—
Rachel Canter,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
In April 2024, Hayden agreed to pay a $5,000 civil penalty for violating conflict of interest law by allowing his office to issue an official press statement aimed at discrediting his primary opponent, Arroyo, days before the election.
—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Henry’s wife Yasmin (Marisa Abela) ultimately convinces Hayley to accuse Dycker of assault, discrediting his story about Tender, and weaponizing #MeToo-era politics.
—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2026
Elordi and Giannulli appeared to be going strong over the next two years, with sources discrediting breakup speculation to PEOPLE in January 2024 and as the two vacationed together in Italy the following September.
—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Politically, the regime has rotted from within, discarding, discrediting, or detaining its own kind.
—
Robin Wright,
New Yorker,
13 Jan. 2026
ABC News,
2 July 2026
Defense attorney Tom Mesereau was an expert at discrediting witnesses, subjects told the filmmakers, but certain key witnesses, like Janet Arvizo, struggled to connect with the jury on their own.
—
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2026
If the Knicks had that happen to them, everyone would be discrediting them.
—
David Troy Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
My fear is that poor implementation and, above all, a failure to take accountability seriously will end up discrediting good ideas.
—
Rachel Canter,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
In April 2024, Hayden agreed to pay a $5,000 civil penalty for violating conflict of interest law by allowing his office to issue an official press statement aimed at discrediting his primary opponent, Arroyo, days before the election.
—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Henry’s wife Yasmin (Marisa Abela) ultimately convinces Hayley to accuse Dycker of assault, discrediting his story about Tender, and weaponizing #MeToo-era politics.
—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2026
Elordi and Giannulli appeared to be going strong over the next two years, with sources discrediting breakup speculation to PEOPLE in January 2024 and as the two vacationed together in Italy the following September.
—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Politically, the regime has rotted from within, discarding, discrediting, or detaining its own kind.
—
Robin Wright,
New Yorker,
13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discrediting
Verb
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Instead of demanding personal fealty or humiliating them to assert personal dominance, Lincoln absorbed their egos and occasional slights, elevating their talents and turning his fiercest political adversaries into his most devoted champions.
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The autocrat delights in humiliating so many people, not least tech billionaires, including Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg, who once opposed him.
Verb
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But there’s no denying McIlroy was looking sleek with his Masters jacket, which was accompanied by a white shirt and green tie to match.
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Responsible leadership means proactively preparing the enterprise workforce for this imminent organizational down-sizing and structural workplace transition rather than denying its clear historical inevitability.
Verb
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The Whitney Houston estate is refuting Oprah Winfrey recalling that the late singer was high and fell off the stage during an appearance on her talk show.
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Two other retired judges later published their own piece refuting Gilliard’s contention.
Verb
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The moms aren’t embarrassing their kids.
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Several other policy changes led to blowback from the public and Starmer was forced to make a series of embarrassing U-turns that provided political capital for opponents and fed beliefs that the prime minister didn’t stand for much.
Verb
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That same disbelieving fullness.
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When Mom reached Dad on the telephone in the White House pantry to commiserate over the earth-shattering news, Dad’s response was disbelieving.
Verb
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Why are adults so comfortable publicly disgracing Black teenage girls going to their prom and being cruel toward strangers who are sometimes half their age?
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The plotting becomes needlessly complicated at times, such as with Jack becoming a local hero after foiling a burglary, and later disgracing himself with a drunken tirade at a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which leads to him being arrested and put on trial.
Verb
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Instead, the space agency is planning a mission to rescue the telescope and extend its mission for several more years – negating the need to spend more money to replace the observatory, NASA said in a press release.
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Many companies are concerned about the high upfront-costs only to have people discontinue the drugs, negating the long-term benefits, said Ben Barner, clinical pharmacy leader at insurance brokerage Brown & Brown.
Verb
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Last year, a judge threw out the accusations of body shaming following a motion from Lizzo’s team that argued that events like the nude show outings were protected free speech as part of the creative process.
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The loud and insistent residents of Monterey Park showed that shaming and pressuring politicians can work.
Cite this Entry
“Discrediting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discrediting. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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