DISHONOR Synonyms: 154 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'dishonor' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dishonor are disgrace , disrepute , ignominy , and infamy . While all these words mean "the state or condition of suffering loss of esteem and of enduring reproach," dishonor emphasizes the loss of honor that one has enjoyed or the loss of self-esteem. // preferred death to life with dishonor

Q: In what contexts can 'disgrace' take the place of 'dishonor'?

While the synonyms disgrace and dishonor are close in meaning, disgrace often implies humiliation and sometimes ostracism. // sent home in disgrace

Q: When would 'disrepute' be a good substitute for 'dishonor'?

The words disrepute and dishonor can be used in similar contexts, but disrepute stresses loss of one's good name or the acquiring of a bad reputation. // a once proud name fallen into disrepute

Q: Where would 'ignominy' be a reasonable alternative to 'dishonor'?

The meanings of ignominy and dishonor largely overlap; however, ignominy stresses humiliation. // the ignominy of being arrested

Q: When can 'infamy' be used instead of 'dishonor'?

While in some cases nearly identical to dishonor , infamy usually implies notoriety as well as exceeding shame. // a day that lives in infamy

dishonor 1 of 2

noun

(ˌ)dis-ˈä-nər

Definition of dishonor

as in disgrace

the state of having lost the esteem of others a person of integrity who would prefer death to dishonor

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in scandal

a cause of shame your expulsion from the military academy for cheating is a dishonor to this family

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dishonor

2 of 2

verb

as in to humiliate

to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes dishonored herself by fixing the results of her medical research

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the noun dishonor differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dishonor are disgrace, disrepute, ignominy, and infamy. While all these words mean "the state or condition of suffering loss of esteem and of enduring reproach," 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 disgrace take the place of dishonor?

While the synonyms disgrace and dishonor are close in meaning, disgrace often implies humiliation and sometimes ostracism.

sent home in disgrace

When would disrepute be a good substitute for dishonor?

The words disrepute and dishonor can be used in similar contexts, but 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 dishonor?

The meanings of ignominy and dishonor largely overlap; however, ignominy stresses humiliation.

the ignominy of being arrested

When can infamy be used instead of dishonor?

While in some cases nearly identical to dishonor, infamy usually implies notoriety as well as exceeding shame.

a day that lives in infamy

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dishonor

Noun

Indeed, war and waste seem the ideal subjects of national service; the first because of the special risks involved, the second because of the dishonor. — Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026 Intimidation, fear, and dishonor are the driving forces behind enforcing omertà; violation of the code is inevitably punishable by death. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 May 2026

Verb

The problem of Black student academic malaise is not due to any lack of government funding, but rather a cultural malady that dishonors academic excellence and places ball-chasing above scholastic accomplishment. — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 21 May 2026 Ella Baker, Septima Clark, these are extraordinary women who today the Supreme Court has dishonored their legacy and their sacrifices. — NBC news, 10 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for dishonor

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dishonor

Noun

When Spiro Agnew resigned in disgrace over tax evasion, Kennerly was tapped to photograph one of his potential replacements as vice president, Gerald Ford.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Until Graham Platner’s Maine Senate campaign exploded in disgrace, Platner was routinely cast as a son of privilege playing Carhartt dress-up.

— Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of disgrace

Noun

When King Juan Carlos abdicated in 2014, forced out by financial scandals and weakened by recurring health problems, the crown skipped his eldest daughter, Infanta Elena, born in 1963.

— Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026
Where others might’ve retired and spent their money, having managed to make it to the end of the 20th century without a legitimate scandal or sustained career downturn, Parton kept giving it away and finding new methods to inspire and create.

— Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of scandal

Verb

Much of the behavior on display is plainly harassment and bullying, often filmed without the subjects’ knowledge or consent and uploaded online to humiliate them further.

— Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 19 Aug. 2026
In their first national title game, the Wildcats humiliated Oklahoma in the national semifinal by 44, and in their second, demoralized Michigan in the title game by 17.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of humiliate

Noun

Meizlish told the Washington Examiner that prior attempts to shame countries doing business with Iran, including China, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, had fallen flat.

— Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026
And that's a shame, because the US could arguably use more cars like this, not fewer.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of shame

Verb

In trying to discredit public concerns about data centers as a psyop, Goldman and others said, tech leaders are taking a page out of the intelligence playbook themselves.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Inflicting these details on the jury, the children’s family members, and the public served no discernible purpose in establishing Clancy’s mens rea, which might have discredited her not-guilty plea.

— Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of discredit

Verb

For example, a relative’s benign remark about the texture of a turkey dinner at a family gathering might be interpreted by someone with schizophrenia as a statement meant to embarrass them.

— Matthew Kurtz, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
College students should not have to worry about their parents embarrassing them to an audience of thousands.

— Mary Frances Ruskell, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of embarrass

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dishonesty

dishonor

dishonorable

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“Dishonor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dishonor. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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