Discredit and Smear

Discredit

Discredit verb - To reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes.

Smear is a synonym for discredit in disgrace topic. In some cases you can use "Smear" instead the word "Discredit" as a verb or a noun, when it comes to topics like defame, blame, accuse.

Smear

Smear verb - To make untrue and harmful statements about.
Usage example: he is willing to smear his opponent if doing so would win the election

Discredit is a synonym for smear in sully topic. You can use "Discredit" instead the word "Smear" as a verb or a noun, if it concerns topics such as accuse.

Nearby Words: smeared, smearing, smeary

Common collocations

image discredit image smear image
reputation discredit reputation smear reputation
anyone discredit anyone smear anyone
opponent discredit opponent smear opponent
Other words: xvi.

Both words in one sentence

  • Scare Campaign Ron Hubbard called the "Fair Game" policy, in which Scientologists use any means necessary to smear and discredit anyone who critiques their practices.
  • Useful Notes / British Political System Second, the CPGB's rank-and-file who did stay were told that the allegations of the party being reliant on "Moscow gold" from the KGB to survive was a filthy smear spread to discredit the British left ... until they became senior enough to learn that it was completely true.
Cite this Source
Smear and Discredit. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/discredit/smear
Discredit & Smear. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/discredit/smear>.
Smear or Discredit. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/discredit/smear.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "discredit" and "smear" have occurred on timeline