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
There will be no disgrace or dishonor if they get rolled by the defending champs in the second round. Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025 To remove the web page of a Medal of Honor recipient, in this case awarded by President Nixon, dishonors all the military and their families. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
Ironically, since Charlie Kirk strongly advocated both First and Second Amendment rights, the current threats doubly dishonor his legacy. John Toher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025 That dishonors a young man’s life. Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dishonor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dishonor
Noun
  • In the spring of 1940, as Hitler took Paris, defeated France, and allowed the British troops at Dunkirk to retreat from the continent in disgrace, two more countries initiated their own nuclear programs.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Amid her disgrace, Baldwin somewhat retreated from social media and from constantly posting images of her seven children, which critics found exploitative.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Decades after a crackdown by prosecutors decimated the ranks of the New York Mafia, the indictment of an NBA coach, a player and nearly three dozen others in a betting scandal highlighted the mob’s persistence and adaptability to changing times and technology.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The pregame show addressed the sports gambling scandal, with insider Chris Hayes giving some details around seven minutes in.
    Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There was this huge peak between 2000 and about 2018 where there was a decentralized anti-Fascist movement that’s responsible for Richard Spencer going home, for Matthew Heimbach being humiliated.
    Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Pressing for payment could humiliate people, who often arrive with their extended families, Parmar explained, and in a community this close-knit, that could mean losing dozens of patients, including many of the Medicaid patients who keep the clinic afloat.
    Helen Ouyang, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • There were no songs from that album in the mix, which is a shame.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Menopause is a perfect time to expand your definition of intimacy, and that means removing the shame from having open and honest conversations.
    Essence, Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The study authors looked at 13 samples and found no traces of typhus, but their work does not discredit the findings of the 2006 study, the researchers noted.
    Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Many fans have welcomed her to the two-time winners club, joining the likes of Tony Vlachos and Sandra Diaz-Twine, while others have discredited her triumph.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • For French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, the heist spotlights embarrassing security failings at one of France’s most venerable institutions.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The New York Mets fell short of the postseason in embarrassing fashion last season, so this offseason is going to be more important than ever.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dishonor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dishonor. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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