Synonyms of dishonor

dishonor 1 of 2

noun

(ˌ)dis-ˈä-nər 

1

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

• disgrace
• shame
• contempt
• humiliation
• infamy
• ignominy
• discredit
• disrepute
• disdain
• reproach
• odium
• stigma
• obloquy
• opprobrium
• disesteem
• scandal
• taint
• disapproval
• scorn
• degradation
• stain
• disapprobation
• debasement
• despite
• abasement
• dust
• blot
• deprecation
• disfavor
• brand
• debasing
• slur
• humbling
• smirch
• shadow
• spot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• respect
• honor
• esteem
• regard
• fear
• appreciation
• admiration
• estimation
• glory
• reverence
• fame
• awe
• repute
• renown

2

as in scandal

a cause of shame

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disgrace
• scandal
• reflection
• stain
• reproach
• opprobrium
• stigma
• taint
• blot
• slur
• brand
• smirch
• spot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• honor
• credit
• pride
• glory
• treasure
• boast
• jewel

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humiliate
• discredit
• shame
• disgrace
• embarrass
• humble
• degrade
• insult
• demean
• confuse
• debase
• cheapen
• abase
• chasten
• rattle
• take down
• criticize
• foul
• diminish
• lower
• smirch
• sink
• minimize
• ridicule
• mortify
• disparage
• belittle
• detract
• condemn
• slander
• libel
• defame
• disconcert
• discountenance
• decry
• affront
• defile
• discount
• depreciate
• confound
• malign
• faze
• write off
• denounce
• discomfit
• castigate
• fluster
• abash
• censure
• put down
• bad-mouth
• cry down
• nonplus
• damn
• execrate
• reprehend
• reprobate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• honor
• exalt
• elevate
• celebrate
• recognize
• commend
• salute
• acknowledge
• aggrandize
• congratulate
• praise
• deify
• applaud
• cite
• boast
• cheer
• canonize
• compliment
• decorate
• laud
• hail
• eulogize
• extol
• acclaim
• tout
• extoll
• highlight
• glorify
• promote
• dignify
• play up
• spotlight
• ennoble
• magnify
• enshrine
• advance
• fete
• raise
• enthrone
• lift
• upgrade
• uplift
• fête
• boost
• idealize
• romanticize
• ensky

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

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

Judges are disrobed, dishonored, disappointed, and defined. —Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025

Yifei Liu's Mulan weighs dishonoring her family vs. saving her father (Tzi Ma) and defending the country from invaders, and the tale is an eye-popping fantasy adventure about embracing one's self. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025