discreditable

Discreditable is an adjective meaning capable of bringing discredit or dishonor; not creditable. It describes acts or conduct that would harm the reputation of a person, group, or institution. The term is usually used in formal or legal contexts and often appears in the phrase discreditable conduct to describe behavior that warrants scrutiny or sanction. It is the negative counterpart to creditable, which denotes worthy or praiseworthy.

In usage, discreditable is applied to actions rather than to people directly, though a person can be described as acting in a discreditable manner. It is commonly encountered in professional codes of conduct, disciplinary procedures, and formal inquiries. Examples include acts of fraud, corruption, or other misconduct that would bring an organization into disrepute. The concept emphasizes reputational harm rather than criminality per se.

The term is recognized in dictionaries as formal and somewhat archaic in everyday speech, but it remains standard in legal and administrative language. See also creditable, disrepute, misconduct.

Examples: The committee found the officer's conduct discreditable and recommended sanctions. The school's policy lists cheating as discreditable conduct.