What does discredit mean?
Discredit functions as both a verb and a noun in English, and in each role it concerns the loss of belief, trust, or reputation. As a transitive verb, to discredit someone or something is to damage their standing or persuasiveness — typically by revealing flaws, contradictions, or wrongdoing so that others stop taking them seriously. Critics may seek to discredit a scientific study, a witness's testimony, or a politician's promises. As a noun, discredit denotes the state of damaged reputation itself: a disgraced official is said to be 'in discredit,' and misconduct that reflects badly on an institution is said to bring discredit upon it. The word derives from the Latin credere, meaning 'to believe,' combined with the negative prefix dis-, literally suggesting a withdrawal of belief. It carries a formal tone and a strongly negative connotation, appearing most often in journalism, politics, academia, and legal writing, where questions of credibility are central.
To harm the reputation or credibility of someone or something, causing others to lose belief in or respect for them.
"The opposition tried to discredit the findings by questioning the researchers' methods."
Always transitive; commonly used with evidence, scandals, or criticism as the agent of the discrediting.
Loss or lack of reputation, trust, or good standing.
"The scandal brought great discredit on the board of directors."
Most frequent in the phrase 'bring discredit on/upon'; also used in 'be held in discredit.'
The same Latin root credere — 'to believe' — gives us both 'credit' and 'discredit': one word for being believed, and its dark twin for being doubted.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of discredit
Discredit entered English in the mid-sixteenth century as a noun and slightly later as a verb, formed from the prefix dis- ('apart,' 'away,' expressing negation) attached to credit, which comes from Latin creditum, 'a loan or thing entrusted,' from credere, 'to believe or trust.' The word thus literally captures the idea of withdrawing belief or trust from someone. Its relatives all trace back to that same Latin root, including credible, credential, credence, and incredible.
Related word forms
How discredit is actually used
Both verb and noun are formal to neutral in register and carry an inherently negative connotation. As a verb it is transitive and often appears in political, journalistic, and academic contexts, where evidence or scandal is used to undermine credibility rather than merely to insult. The noun frequently occurs in the fixed phrase 'to bring discredit on/upon' someone or something.
Easily confused with discredit
Discredit means to damage credibility or reputation; discrete means separate and distinct.