Discredit
/dɪsˈkrɛd.ɪt/noun
To harm the good reputation of someone or something.
Did you know?The prefix 'dis-' suggests a reversal, indicating that to discredit is to actively undo credibility, which ties into ancient beliefs about the power of words and reputation.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kred-
“to believe or trust”
Latin
Latin
credere
“to believe, trust, or have faith”
Old French
Old French
acrediter
“to give credit or believe”
Early Modern English
English
discrediten
“to disbelieve or to refuse to acknowledge the truth”
Modern English
English
discredit
“to damage someone's reputation or trustworthiness”