to discredit
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to discredit
To deliberately damage the reputation or credibility of a person or thing, so that it falls into disrepute and people no longer trust it.
Die Opposition versuchte, den Minister durch die Veröffentlichung alter E-Mails zu diskreditieren.
The opposition tried to discredit the minister by publishing old emails.
The word is made up of the prefix 'dis-' (away, un-) and 'Kredit' (credibility, trust). To 'diskreditieren' (to discredit) someone therefore literally means to take away their trust or credibility.
Durch die Lügenkampagne wurde der Ruf des Politikers gezielt diskreditiert.
The politician's reputation was deliberately discredited through the smear campaign.
'Diskreditieren' (to discredit) is always used with an accusative object. You always discredit 'jemanden' (someone) or 'etwas' (something).
Die Konkurrenzfirma versuchte, das neue Produkt zu diskreditieren.
The competing company tried to discredit the new product.
This word belongs to elevated written language. It is found especially often in texts about politics, the media, or in academic discussions.
In dem Artikel wird die Methodik der Studie als unseriös diskreditiert.
In the article, the study's methodology is discredited as unserious.
to damage / harm
'schädigen' and 'diskreditieren' can both mean that someone or something is put in a worse position. 'schädigen' is broader: you can damage health, the environment, a device, interests, or also a reputation. 'diskreditieren', on the other hand, is especially fitting when someone deliberately attacks a reputation or credibility. It often sounds more formal and is frequently used for people, organizations, or ideas. When it is about real material or physical damage, 'schädigen' is correct. When someone wants to make others stop trusting a person, 'diskreditieren' is more precise.
Im Gespräch versuchte der Bewerber nicht, seinen früheren Kollegen zu diskreditieren.
During the conversation, the applicant did not try to discredit his former colleague.
Zu viel Sonne kann die Haut schädigen, wenn man keinen Schutz benutzt.
Too much sun can damage your skin if you do not use protection.