English Reference
Adjective

discredited

adj.
C1 Advanced US /dɪsˈkɹɛdɪtɪd/ UK /dɪskɹˈɛdɪtɪd/ dis·cred·it·ed

adj.describing an idea, person, or piece of information that people no longer trust or believe is true. It is used when something has been proven wrong or dishonest.

adj.having lost a reputation for reliability, honesty, or validity. Often describes scientific theories, political figures, or evidence that has been formally refuted.


SIMPLE

The scientist's old theory is now completely discredited.

CONTEXTUAL

After the scandal was revealed, the politician's once-popular policies became discredited in the eyes of the public.

COMPLEX

The defense attorney argued that the witness's testimony should be ignored, as it relied on a discredited forensic technique that has since been replaced by DNA analysis.

Usage

Often follows a linking verb like 'become', 'remain', or 'be'.

The original report that suggested the potential link has since been discredited for faulty methodologies.

The Guardian· 13 Aug 2026

With 9/11 and the subsequent and discredited “war on terror”, Goodman’s work got even more intense.

The Guardian· 12 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated