Synonyms of disgrace

disgrace 1 of 2

noun

1

as in shame

the state of having lost the esteem of others

the players who threw the game were in disgrace with their schoolmates

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shame
• contempt
• humiliation
• ignominy
• disrepute
• dishonor
• infamy
• discredit
• disdain
• stigma
• odium
• reproach
• opprobrium
• scandal
• obloquy
• disesteem
• disapproval
• taint
• scorn
• degradation
• stain
• disapprobation
• despite
• abasement
• dust
• debasement
• blot
• brand
• disfavor
• deprecation
• slur
• debasing
• humbling
• smirch
• shadow
• spot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• respect
• honor
• esteem
• regard
• fear
• admiration
• appreciation
• estimation
• glory
• fame
• reverence
• awe
• renown
• repute

2

as in scandal

a cause of shame

the exposure of his criminal record was a huge disgrace for the councilman

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scandal
• reflection
• stain
• dishonor
• opprobrium
• reproach
• stigma
• blot
• taint
• slur
• smirch
• brand
• spot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• honor
• credit
• pride
• glory
• treasure
• jewel
• boast

3

as in pity

a regrettable or blameworthy act

it's a disgrace to let all the leftover food from the banquet go to waste, so let's deliver it to the homeless shelter

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shame
• pity
• crime
• sin
• scandal
• outrage

disgrace

2 of 2

verb

di-ˈskrās 

as in to humiliate

to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes

disgraced by the shameful actions of their leader

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humiliate
• discredit
• shame
• embarrass
• dishonor
• humble
• degrade
• insult
• confuse
• demean
• debase
• cheapen
• rattle
• abase
• foul
• take down
• smirch
• chasten
• criticize
• lower
• diminish
• sink
• ridicule
• minimize
• disparage
• detract
• mortify
• libel
• belittle
• disconcert
• condemn
• slander
• faze
• affront
• decry
• confound
• discountenance
• defame
• discount
• depreciate
• malign
• defile
• write off
• fluster
• discomfit
• abash
• castigate
• denounce
• cry down
• censure
• nonplus
• put down
• damn
• bad-mouth
• execrate
• reprobate
• reprehend

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• honor
• exalt
• elevate
• salute
• applaud
• congratulate
• commend
• praise
• celebrate
• cheer
• aggrandize
• boast
• compliment
• recognize
• deify
• acknowledge
• laud
• hail
• cite
• canonize
• acclaim
• decorate
• eulogize
• extol
• tout
• extoll
• highlight
• dignify
• glorify
• spotlight
• fete
• promote
• ennoble
• play up
• magnify
• enshrine
• advance
• lift
• upgrade
• raise
• uplift
• enthrone
• boost
• fête
• idealize
• romanticize
• ensky

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun disgrace differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of disgrace are dishonor, disrepute, ignominy, and infamy. While all these words 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

When could dishonor be used to replace disgrace?

While in some cases nearly identical to disgrace, dishonor emphasizes the loss of honor that one has enjoyed or the loss of self-esteem.

preferred death to life with dishonor

In what contexts can disrepute take the place of disgrace?

In some situations, the words disrepute and disgrace are roughly equivalent. However, disrepute stresses loss of one's good name or the acquiring of a bad reputation.

a once proud name fallen into disrepute

Where would ignominy be a reasonable alternative to disgrace?

The synonyms ignominy and disgrace are sometimes interchangeable, but ignominy stresses humiliation.

the ignominy of being arrested

When is infamy a more appropriate choice than disgrace?

The words infamy and disgrace can be used in similar contexts, but infamy usually implies notoriety as well as exceeding shame.

a day that lives in infamy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of disgrace

Noun

This is an international disgrace. —Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025

The new movie brings fan-favorite characters into the 1930s as Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) is at the heart of a scandal and the Crawleys face financial troubles and social disgrace. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

Verb

Here, Emmy winner Edebiri’s character accuses Garfield’s assistant professor of assaulting her after a party, and the film tracks his rapid mental dissolution and disgraced academic status with some standout moments. —Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 29 Aug. 2025

Terrorists masquerading as journalists disgrace the profession & put real war correspondents in mortal danger. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025