Meanings
comparative more discreditably · superlative most discreditably
- In a discreditable manner
It was a long time since any well-known banker had failed discreditably
1920, Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC3 more examples
He had been expelled the militia regiment in which he once held a commission. He had tried one employment after another, and had discreditably failed in all.
1862, Wilkie Collins, No Name, Scene 1/Chapter IIIThe first time Stubb lowered with him, Pip evinced much nervousness; but happily, for that time, escaped close contact with the whale; and therefore came off not altogether discreditably; though Stubb observing him, took care, afterwards, to exhort him to cherish his courageousness to the utmost, for he might often find it needful.
1851 November 14, Herman Melville, Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLCSome careless hostesses neglect to complete introductions. This causes embarrassment for both, or all, people concerned, and reflects discreditably on the hostess.
1921, Lillian Eichler, Book of Etiquette
Synonyms & antonyms
adverbin a dishonorable manner or to a dishonorable degree
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
Cite this entry
discreditably. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/discreditably
“discreditably.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/discreditably. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “discreditably,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/discreditably.
Source: discreditably on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.