discredit

n. [ Cf. F. discrédit. ] 1. The act of discrediting or disbelieving, or the state of being discredited or disbelieved; as, later accounts have brought the story into discredit. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, some degree of dishonor or disesteem; ill repute; reproach; -- applied to persons or things. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is the duty of every Christian to be concerned for the reputation or discredit his life may bring on his profession. Rogers.

Syn. -- Disesteem; disrepute; dishonor; disgrace; ignominy; scandal; disbelief; distrust. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Discredited; p. pr. & vb. n. Discrediting. ] [ Cf. F. discréditer. ] 1. To refuse credence to; not to accept as true; to disbelieve; as, the report is discredited. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To deprive of credibility; to destroy confidence or trust in; to cause disbelief in the accuracy or authority of. [ 1913 Webster ]

An occasion might be given to the . . . papists of discrediting our common English Bible. Strype. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To deprive of credit or good repute; to bring reproach upon; to make less reputable; to disgrace. [ 1913 Webster ]

He. . . least discredits his travels who returns the same man he went. Sir H. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. being brought into disrepute; as, a discredited politician.
Syn. -- damaged. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. suffering shame.
Syn. -- disgraced, dishonored, shamed. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

3. having been shown to be incorrect; as, a discredited theory or policy. [ PJC ]