dishonorable

adjective

dis·​hon·​or·​able (ˌ)dis-ˈä-nə-rə-bəl 

-ˈä-nər-bəl

1

: lacking honor : shameful

dishonorable conduct

2

archaic : not honored

dishonorableness noun

dishonorably

(ˌ)dis-ˈä-nə-rə-blē 

-ˈä-nər-blē

adverb

Synonyms of dishonorable

• vile
• immoral
• dirty
• nasty
• cruel
• contemptible
• ignoble
• vicious
• despicable
• detestable
• corrupt
• ignominious
• sordid
• bad

Examples of dishonorable in a Sentence

His dishonorable behavior has shamed the family.

resorted to dishonorable tactics in order to win the game

Recent Examples on the Web

But is failing to reach an agreement with the refs worth putting out a dishonorable product? —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026

Berry received the Worst Actress Razzie for the film and accepted the dishonorable award while holding her Oscar in the other hand. —Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Mar. 2026

And, inarguably, the pardon power has been put to some dishonorable use by recent administrations. —Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

There has to be one person in the Marty Supreme universe who’s more dishonorable than Marty is, and Rockwell’s stuck holding the short straw. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 1 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dishonorable

• dishonorable discharge

Rhymes for dishonorable

• honorable
• honourable

Kids Definition

dishonorable

adjective

dis·​hon·​or·​able -ˈän-(ə-)rə-bəl 

-ˈän-ər-bəl

: not honorable : shameful

dishonorable conduct

dishonorably

-blē 

adverb