Synonyms of discredits

discredits

verb

present tense third-person singular of discredit

1

as in humiliates

to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes

attempted to discredit her political opponents by deliberately spreading false rumors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humiliates
• embarrasses
• confuses
• shames
• degrades
• demeans
• disgraces
• humbles
• dishonors
• debases
• cheapens
• criticizes
• rattles
• lowers
• insults
• diminishes
• chastens
• abases
• ridicules
• disparages
• detracts
• minimizes
• takes down
• belittles
• sinks
• confounds
• disconcerts
• decries
• smirches
• fouls
• mortifies
• maligns
• discomfits
• depreciates
• condemns
• defames
• castigates
• fazes
• slanders
• discounts
• flusters
• denounces
• defiles
• discountenances
• libels
• affronts
• bad-mouths
• abashes
• nonpluses
• damns
• writes off
• cries down
• censures
• puts down
• execrates
• reprehends
• reprobates

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• elevates
• exalts
• cites
• commends
• applauds
• recognizes
• acknowledges
• aggrandizes
• celebrates
• deifies
• praises
• lauds
• boasts
• extols
• hails
• congratulates
• canonizes
• salutes
• honors
• cheers
• touts
• compliments
• decorates
• acclaims
• eulogizes
• highlights
• promotes
• dignifies
• fetes
• glorifies
• magnifies
• ennobles
• spotlights
• enshrines
• advances
• lifts
• raises
• uplifts
• boosts
• plays up
• enthrones
• idealizes
• romanticizes
• upgrades
• enskies

2

as in denies

to think not to be true or real

I discredit the story that the old inn is haunted

Synonyms & Similar Words

• denies
• disbelieves
• negates
• refutes
• doubts
• disproves
• rejects
• distrusts
• mistrusts
• derides
• repudiates
• debunks
• suspects
• scoffs (at)
• pooh-poohs

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• believes
• accepts
• credits
• swallows
• trusts

3

as in refutes

to prove to be false

the pseudoscience of phrenology has been thoroughly discredited

Synonyms & Similar Words

• refutes
• disproves
• overturns
• falsifies
• debunks
• rebuts
• belies
• challenges
• confutes
• confounds
• discusses
• gives the lie to
• disconfirms
• questions
• doubts
• overthrows
• shoots down
• mistrusts
• debates
• contests
• queries
• moots
• talks over
• hashes (over)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confirms
• proves
• establishes
• validates
• verifies
• shows
• supports
• witnesses
• records
• evidences
• corroborates
• substantiates
• documents
• identifies
• evinces
• attests
• certifies
• demonstrates
• illustrates
• backs (up)
• manifests
• displays
• authenticates
• adduces
• buttresses

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of discredits

Taking aim at history on the exact 250th anniversary of the United States, the White House Domestic Policy Council released a report on July 4 that discredits the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. — Nora Oakes Howard, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026

The praiseworthyness of having both sides of the debate evaporates when the host actively discredits the expert and reflexively enhances the legitimacy of the conspiracy theorist. — Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 1 Dec. 2025

Yet despite its popularity, research discredits this long-standing belief. — Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2025

In the movie, a gay white man throws the first brick, but almost every public account of the night discredits this version. — Deion Scott Hawkins, The Conversation, 30 June 2023