Damage the reputation of (9) Crossword Clue
Answer: DISCREDIT (9 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Damage the reputation of" with 9 letters is "DISCREDIT".Discredit means to harm or damage someone's reputation by proving them untrustworthy or undermining their credibility. It involves actions or statements that cause others to lose respect or confidence in a person, idea, or institution.
Why “Discredit” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (9 letters) meaning “damage the reputation of.” The answer, DISCREDIT, fits exactly:
- Damage the reputation of: Discredit means to harm someone’s reputation, lessen their standing, or cause others to doubt their trustworthiness.
- Direct match: With 9 letters, discredit matches the clue’s enumeration perfectly.
- Precise synonym: It conveys both the idea of damaging credibility and undermining respect, aligning with the clue’s sense.
The word discredit is rooted in reputational harm:
- Origin and usage: From Latin dis- (“not”) and creditum (“belief, trust”), later entering Middle English to mean loss of reputation or trust.
- Contexts: Commonly used in legal, social, and political language when someone’s name is tarnished or evidence is undermined.
- Examples: “The scandal discredited the politician,” or “The witness was discredited in court.” Both directly show reputational damage.
Quick crossword clues like “damage the reputation of (9)” often point to formal verbs:
- Close alternatives like slander (7) or defame (6) might be considered but don’t match the 9-letter enumeration.
- Discredit is the exact length and matches the broad, general definition of harming someone’s reputation.
- Since crosswords often favor crisp, formal terms recognizable across contexts, discredit is the most fitting and precise solution.
