Library / English Dictionary

DISCREDIT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The state of being held in low esteem

Example:

because of the scandal the school has fallen into disrepute

Synonyms:

discredit; disrepute

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("discredit" is a kind of...):

dishonor; dishonour (a state of shame or disgrace)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "discredit"):

infamy (evil fame or public reputation)

Derivation:

discredit (cause to be distrusted or disbelieved)

discredit (damage the reputation of)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Reject as false; refuse to accept

Synonyms:

disbelieve; discredit

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "discredit" is one way to...):

reject (refuse to accept or acknowledge)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "discredit"):

doubt (consider unlikely or have doubts about)

distrust; mistrust; suspect (regard as untrustworthy; regard with suspicion; have no faith or confidence in)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sense 2

Meaning:

Cause to be distrusted or disbelieved

Example:

The paper discredited the politician with its nasty commentary

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "discredit" is one way to...):

brush aside; brush off; discount; dismiss; disregard; ignore; push aside (bar from attention or consideration)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

discredit (the state of being held in low esteem)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Damage the reputation of

Example:

This newspaper story discredits the politicians

Synonyms:

discredit; disgrace

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "discredit" is one way to...):

belittle; disparage; pick at (express a negative opinion of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Sentence example:

The performance is likely to discredit Sue

Derivation:

discredit (the state of being held in low esteem)

Credits