disgrace

verb

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dis·grace | \ di-ˈskrās

, dis-ˈgrās \

disgraced; disgracing; disgraces

Definition of disgrace

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to be a source of shame to Your actions disgraced the family.

2 : to cause to lose favor (see favor entry 1 sense 1a(2)) or standing was disgraced by the hint of scandal

3 archaic : to humiliate by a superior showing thy whiteness … shall disgrace the swan— Robert Browning

disgrace

noun

Definition of disgrace (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : the condition of one fallen from grace : the condition of one who has lost honor (see honor entry 1 sense 1a) left in disgrace

b : loss of grace, favor, or honor brought disgrace upon the family

2 : a source of shame Your manners are a disgrace. He's a disgrace to the profession.

Other Words from disgrace Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About disgrace

Choose the Right Synonym for disgrace

Noun

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

Examples of disgrace in a Sentence

Verb Many feel that the mayor has disgraced the town government by accepting personal favors from local businesspeople. He felt he had disgraced himself by failing at school. Noun The secret was protected out of a fear of political disgrace. Many feel that the mayor has brought disgrace upon the town. She was forced to leave in disgrace. His table manners are a disgrace. The health-care system is a national disgrace.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb How America and Americans choose to honor or disgrace Mr. Floyd's memory has become a Rorschach test. — Peniel E. Joseph, CNN, 6 Oct. 2021 The man was a cherubic young pastor whose self-worth issues and deep belief in his interpretation of Scripture led to disgrace. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 8 Sep. 2021 Despite the rhetoric from his administration, the truth is Biden chose defeat and disgrace in Afghanistan. — Rich Lowry, National Review, 31 Aug. 2021 Ferguson, interviewing them from behind the camera (Matt Damon narrates the film), questions them with increasing exasperation, and, one after another, the academics disgrace themselves. — Richard Brod, The New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2021 As a leading public figure with the capacity either to inspire (à la Einstein) or to disgrace (à la Roth)? — New York Times, 1 Apr. 2021 This is praise, of a sort: for over a century now, the Windsors have been in a class of their own for providing spectacle, scandal, feud, tragedy, and disgrace—and doing very well out of it. — Matt Seaton, The New York Review of Books, 9 Mar. 2021 His downfall shows how repressive governments can move with stunning speed to disgrace their opponents, using social media and technology to amplify their divisive campaigns. — BostonGlobe.com, 23 Aug. 2020 Pop stars who spitefully deny the pleasure and acknowledgment of listeners who come from different political perspectives disgrace the very meaning of artistic expression. — Armond White, National Review, 22 Apr. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The final scene: The man was escorted off in disgrace. — New York Times, 2 Jan. 2022 Soldiers rolling up the White House carpet as Nixon helicopters away in disgrace. — Christopher Borrelli, chicagotribune.com, 29 Dec. 2021 This retreat from an accomplishment that helped keep millions of Americans out of destitution is a disgrace. — Ryan Cooper, The Week, 7 June 2021 Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat who resigned in disgrace earlier this year, was widely praised by the media for his handling of the coronavirus and even received an Emmy Award. — Andrew Mark Miller, Fox News, 26 Nov. 2021 Durhal, who secured the seat that Gabe Leland resigned from in disgrace after pleading guilty to misconduct in office, said many of his constituents felt hopeless and forgotten by the city as Leland's seat sat empty. — Dana Afana, Detroit Free Press, 4 Nov. 2021 Tom — a famous attorney, who is now in disgrace — has been accused of stealing millions of dollars of settlement money from his clients. — Kate Aurthur, Variety, 13 Oct. 2021 The Democratic Party has delivered disgrace in Afghanistan. — ABC News, 14 Nov. 2021 If that happens, voters should reinvent the Utah way and commit themselves over the next 10 years to voting every single legislator who voted for these maps out of office and holding them accountable for this disgrace. — Robert Gehrke, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Nov. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disgrace.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.