Décrédibiliser and discréditer

Two verbs very similar

Here are two verbs that mean almost the same thing, and yet décrédibiliser is a relatively new word, having appeared in the 1980s.

Discréditer

Discréditer is the historical verb, and therefore the one generally considered correct. Literally, it means to withdraw the credit that was given to someone or something, thus leading to a loss of trust. The opposite is "accréditer".

Cette révélation a discrédité son action politique.
Les accusations cherchent à discréditer son auteur.

Décrédibiliser

Décrédibiliser is used to make someone's idea less credible and therefore less trustworthy. Compared to discrediting, the loss is less severe, but it remains.

Par ses propos, il s'est décrédibilisé.