discredit

/dɪsˈkredɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪsˈkredɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)dis-ˈkre-dət/ (ame, mw) · /dɪˈskred.ɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈskred.ɪt/ (ame, ipa)

discredit — verb

  • discreditpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • discreditshe / she / it
  • discreditedpast simple
  • discrediting-ing form

1. to harm the good name or public trust that a person, group, or idea once held, s

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to harm the good name or public trust that a person, group, or idea once held, so that others lose confidence in them

例句

Sirin's careless mistakes discredited her in the eyes of the entire team.

transitive with personal object

Jin's investigation discredited the senator's claims about public spending.

同義詞
  • undermine

    weaker — suggests gradual damage rather than sudden loss of trust

  • disgrace

    stronger — implies public shame, often due to immoral behaviour

  • tarnish

    used metaphorically for reputations; less formal and less severe

反義詞
  • credit

    to give someone recognition for good work or qualities

  • vindicate

    to prove that someone was right after doubts were raised

文法句型

discredit + noun phrase

discredit + noun phrase + by + gerund

用法筆記

Common in formal and journalistic contexts. The object is typically an institution, a person's reputation, a theory, or an idea. Often used with 'by' to show how the harm was done.

常見錯誤

❌She discredited the cake because it tasted bad.
✅She discredited the study because the methods were flawed.
💡'Discredit' applies to things that carry authority or trust (reputations, claims, institutions), not to simple personal preferences about food.

2. to decide that a statement, claim, or piece of information is not true, especial

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to decide that a statement, claim, or piece of information is not true, especially after careful thought or examination of the facts

例句

The court discredited the witness's statement after video evidence appeared.

judicial context: court discrediting testimony

Tara discredited the online rumour by tracing it back to a fake account.

同義詞
  • disbelieve

    more common in everyday use; can be less formal

  • refute

    narrower — specifically means to prove something is false with evidence

  • reject

    broader — can mean to simply refuse without giving reasons

反義詞
  • accept

    to believe something as true

  • believe

    to trust that something is true or accurate

文法句型

discredit + noun phrase

discredit + noun phrase + by + noun phrase/gerund

用法筆記

Formal register; less common than 'disbelieve'. Typically implies a reasoned rejection based on evidence rather than a simple unwillingness to believe. Common in legal and academic contexts.

常見錯誤

❌I discredited his excuse because I didn't like him.
✅The panel discredited his excuse after finding proof that he was lying.
💡'Discredit' in this sense requires factual grounds for rejection, not personal feelings.

discredit — noun