dishonor 1 of 2

dishonor

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

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
Macbeth’s themes of deceit and dishonor sit squarely within the director's filmography while also crafting one of the most atmospheric and affecting Shakespeare works to date. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2024 For some families, failing to provide an elaborate wedding can lead to dishonor or even death. Ira Trivedi, Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2015
Verb
In 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, Lightfoot accused Trump of dishonoring Floyd’s memory after the president suggested those protesting his death should be shot. Cheyanne M. Daniels, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025 The second believed the United States could attain comprehensive security through military-technological means and saw diplomacy as a quixotic or pusillanimous enterprise that dishonored and weakened the country. A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dishonor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dishonor
Noun
  • It’s been a long time since Florida’s university system was put to such disgrace as the Board of Governors did Tuesday in rejecting the distinguished scholar Santa Ono as the lone finalist for president of the University of Florida.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 June 2025
  • For decades, both Republican and Democratic administrations agreed ‒ at least for immigrants from Vietnam, a country the United States left in disgrace five decades years ago.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • But thanks to Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo, every week there’s a headline uncovering a new scandal.
    Brad Lander, New York Daily News, 6 June 2025
  • Published on June 5 in the journal Criminal Law Forum, the investigation draws on direct archival evidence from Cambridge University that is helping fill in the gaps to a high-profile true crime scandal that would make headlines even today.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Ukrainians said they were subjected to beatings, electric shocks and dog attacks by Russian authorities, not only to extract information but to intimidate and humiliate them.
    Richard Engel, NBC news, 11 June 2025
  • Musk, who also owns SpaceX, had backed Isaacman, and felt betrayed and humiliated when Trump changed his mind, according to the report.
    Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 7 June 2025
Noun
  • That means having the courage to say what needs to be said—without blame, without shame and always with the intention to help.
    Jaide Massin, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • But when the nights are long and your world has shattered, just having something to talk to without shame or fear, can be the difference between falling apart and holding on.
    Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • Trump’s team is working furiously to keep the bill going on other fronts, too: seeking to discredit Congress’s nonpartisan scorekeeper while savaging Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., for resisting the bill and its debt ceiling increase.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 6 June 2025
  • The White House has sought to discredit the CBO, but other groups have also presented estimates that conclude that the legislation would expand the U.S. government deficit by trillions of dollars.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • The following program will contain graphic stupidity, as four friends compete to embarrass one another – only this time in Lithuania.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 June 2025
  • Races are sometimes won by runners making a move from the back of the pack, and L.A. could still find its stride, show some pride, and avoid embarrassing itself.
    Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dishonor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dishonor. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dishonor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!