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
• compliment
• boast
• recognize
• deify
• acknowledge
• laud
• hail
• canonize
• cite
• acclaim
• decorate
• eulogize
• extol
• fete
• tout
• highlight
• dignify
• glorify
• spotlight
• promote
• ennoble
• play up
• magnify
• enshrine
• advance
• lift
• upgrade
• raise
• uplift
• enthrone
• boost
• 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

The new Democrati-Socialist-Marxist Party is a disgrace to our nation. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 July 2026

The man who’d held the presidency before Gerald Ford had resigned in disgrace two years earlier. — Lynn Schmidt, Mercury News, 2 July 2026

Verb

Among the guests were Prince William and Kate Middleton, as well as the daughters of Sarah Ferguson and disgraced ex-Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 8 June 2026

Pelley charged the new management, under Bari Weiss, with conduct that would disgrace any self-respecting news organization, disparage its staff’s integrity and force people with uncompromising principles to leave. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 June 2026