disgrace

²disgrace

noun

Definition of DISGRACE

1

a : the condition of one fallen from grace or honor b : loss of grace, favor, or honor

2

: a source of shame <your manners are a disgrace> <he's a disgrace to the profession>

Examples of DISGRACE

1. The secret was protected out of a fear of political disgrace.
2. Many feel that the mayor has brought disgrace upon the town.
3. She was forced to leave in disgrace.
4. His table manners are a disgrace.
5. The health-care system is a national disgrace.

Origin of DISGRACE

Middle French, from Old Italian disgrazia, from dis- (from Latin) + grazia grace, from Latin gratia — more at grace

First Known Use: 1586

Related to DISGRACE

Synonyms: discredit, disesteem, dishonor, disrepute, ignominy, infamy, obloquy, odium, opprobrium, reproach, shame

Antonyms: esteem, honor, respect

Related Words: scandal; contempt, despite, disdain, scorn; deprecation, disapprobation, disapproval, disfavor; abasement, debasement, debasing, degradation, dust, humbling, humiliation; blot, brand, shadow, slur, smirch, spot, stain, stigma, taint

Near Antonyms: admiration, appreciation, estimation, regard; awe, fear, reverence; fame, glory, renown, repute

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Synonym Discussion of DISGRACE

disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, infamy, ignominy mean the state or condition of suffering loss of esteem and of enduring reproach. disgrace often implies humiliation and sometimes ostracism <sent home in disgrace>. dishonor emphasizes the loss of honor that one has enjoyed or the loss of self-esteem <preferred death to life with dishonor>. disrepute stresses loss of one's good name or the acquiring of a bad reputation <a once proud name fallen into disrepute>. infamy usually implies notoriety as well as exceeding shame <a day that lives in infamy>. ignominy stresses humiliation <the ignominy of being arrested>.