discredit
harm someone's reputation
to make people respect or trust a person, group, or thing less
to discredit [someone/something]
- The article was clearly written to discredit the whistleblower.
- Opponents tried to discredit her by spreading stories about her personal life.
- The leaked emails did little to discredit the candidate in the eyes of his supporters.
- He accused the company of attempting to discredit him after he complained.
- Any mistake in the report could discredit the entire investigation.
- The news story tried to discredit the doctor.
- Her rivals spread lies to discredit her before the vote.
- One angry customer cannot discredit a good company.
- They failed to discredit the witness in court.
- The rumors did not discredit him with his friends.
show an idea is unreliable
to show that an idea, story, or report is not true or not good enough to trust
to discredit [a claim/idea/report/theory]
- New data from the trial appear to discredit the earlier study.
- The witness's changing story completely discredited his testimony.
- Several experts have discredited the report as unscientific.
- Her careful research helped to discredit the popular myth.
- One mistake in the figures does not automatically discredit the entire analysis.
- Scientists later discredited the old theory.
- The video helped discredit the false story.
- The lawyer tried to discredit the report in court.
- More studies are needed to discredit this claim.
- These facts do not fully discredit his idea.
loss of reputation or respect
a situation where people respect someone or something less because of bad actions or mistakes
to bring discredit on [someone/something]
- His actions brought discredit on the entire organization.
- To her discredit, she never apologized for the error.
- The scandal has placed the ministry in discredit with the public.
- Such behavior brings nothing but discredit to the profession.
- The company is anxious to avoid any discredit to its name.
- The lie brought discredit on the team.
- To his discredit, he hid the problem.
- This mistake will bring discredit to the school.
- Their actions put the club in discredit.
- The report caused discredit for the project.
person or thing causing shame
a person or thing that makes a group, family, or job look bad
[someone] is a discredit to [a group]
- He is a discredit to the uniform he wears.
- Such behavior makes you a discredit to the company.
- The incident was a real discredit to the sport.
- Cheating students are a discredit to the university.
- Their unprofessional conduct is a discredit to the entire industry.
- He is a discredit to his family.
- They were a discredit to the team.
- Her rude words are a discredit to the school.
- The fake review is a discredit to the website.
- Such actions are a discredit to our group.
- Base: discredit
- Plural: discredit
- Base: discredit
- 3rd Person Singular: discredits
- Present Participle: discrediting
- Past: discredited
bring discredit on
1cause someone to lose respect
to make people respect someone or something less because of bad actions or mistakes
- Their unethical practices brought discredit on the whole department.
- The scandal may bring discredit on the charity, even though most staff did nothing wrong.
fall into discredit
1stop being respected or trusted
to stop being respected or trusted by people, often because of problems or changes in opinion
- The theory fell into discredit after several major studies failed to support it.
- Once widely admired, the politician quickly fell into discredit following the corruption charges.
reflect discredit on
1make someone look bad by association
to make a person or group look bad or guilty because something bad is linked with them
- The actions of a few employees should not reflect discredit on the entire company.
- Her rude comments reflect discredit on the whole team.
to one's discredit
1showing that someone is at fault
used to say that something is bad for a person and makes people respect them less
- To his discredit, he never mentioned the serious risks to his clients.
- It is very much to the company's discredit that they ignored the complaints for so long.
- To your discredit, you chose not to support your colleague when she needed you.