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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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 Navy should be able to tell the difference between honoring a visitor and dishonoring the dead. — Jon Duffy, Twin Cities, 27 May 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for dishonor

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dishonor

Noun

Seeing Mike Caruso’s name on the ballot (for Palm Beach court clerk) was a disgrace.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
After The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal wrote stories in 2021 about the emails, Gruden resigned in disgrace as Raiders coach, walking away from about $60 million remaining on his contract and endorsement opportunities.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of disgrace

Noun

While there’s no sign the legislature is flipping red, the Illinois GOP hopes recent scandals involving Democratic state lawmakers will breathe new life into the party’s efforts to gain more relevance.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
Page Six reported that Fiebig and Shue struck up a bond over their experience with the scandal.

— Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of scandal

Verb

From the very start, the students assigned as guards went on cruel power trips and repeatedly humiliated — if not psychologically tortured — the inmates, to the point that some of the prisoners suffered nervous breakdowns.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 29 Oct. 2026
The Packers come off an angry loss while the Panthers were humiliated on Sunday.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of humiliate

Noun

Of course, people were surprised that a 15-year-old boy wanted to tackle menstrual shame.

— Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 7 Nov. 2026
To join the tide of anti-intellectualism that refuses to take this seriously or rise to the challenge of doing so, as Tate has done with this exhibition, is a grave shame.

— Eliza Goodpasture, ARTnews.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of shame

Verb

In his closing arguments Monday, Nov 2, attorney Ian Winter worked to discredit and downplay the six women whose allegations anchor the criminal case against Brand (via Sky News).

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2026
With the midterms now days away, the complaint is part of an urgent effort to discredit Peltola in a must-win Senate race that could easily determine the upper chamber’s majority.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of discredit

Verb

The Jets have already been embarrassed by the Bears and Dolphins this season.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
The colliding scandals embarrassed the city of South Lake Tahoe, a Sierra Nevada enclave of about 21,000 people near the Nevada border, where residents addressed the situation at an emotional City Council meeting last year.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 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 10 Nov. 2026.

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