Discredited
/dɪsˈkredɪtɪd/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo harm the reputation of someone or something, making them seem untrustworthy or unreliable.
/dɪsˈkredɪt/
To cause someone or something to be disbelieved or distrusted; damage the reputation of.
The evidence presented in court discredited the witness's testimony.
💡 Simply: Think of it like this: if your friend told everyone a silly lie about you, they'd be trying to 'discredit' you. They're trying to make people not believe you anymore.
👶 For kids: To make people not trust someone or something anymore.
More Examples
The scandal discredited the politician and ruined his career.
Her attempts to discredit her rival failed.
The scientific study discredited previous assumptions about the disease.
How It's Used
"The opposing candidate attempted to discredit his opponent with false accusations."
"The newspaper's investigation sought to discredit the company's claims."
No longer believed or trusted; having a damaged reputation.
/dɪsˈkredɪtɪd/
Having lost credibility; regarded with suspicion or doubt.
The discredited scientist had lost all respect in the academic community.
💡 Simply: Imagine a chef known for amazing cakes suddenly serving burnt ones. Now, his cake-making skills are 'discredited' - people don't trust them anymore!
👶 For kids: When people don't trust someone or something anymore.
More Examples
The discredited evidence was not used in the trial.
After the scandal, the politician's policies were discredited.
His discredited claims were easily proven false.
How It's Used
"The discredited theory was removed from the curriculum."
"The company's discredited financial reports led to a stock decline."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
From dis- (expressing negation) + credit (belief, trust). Originally referred to not trusting someone or something, later encompassing a broader sense of damage to reputation.
The word 'discredit' first appeared in the late 16th century, mainly in the context of damage to someone's reputation or influence.
Memory tip
Imagine you erase someone's credit, they are now 'discredited.'
Word Origin
"to deprive of credit, bring into disrepute"