Synonym Chooser

How does the noun disrepute differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of disrepute are disgrace, dishonor, ignominy, and infamy. While all these words mean "the state or condition of suffering loss of esteem and of enduring reproach," disrepute stresses loss of one's good name or the acquiring of a bad reputation.

a once proud name fallen into disrepute

When would disgrace be a good substitute for disrepute?

The synonyms disgrace and disrepute are sometimes interchangeable, but disgrace often implies humiliation and sometimes ostracism.

sent home in disgrace

When could dishonor be used to replace disrepute?

The words dishonor and disrepute are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dishonor emphasizes the loss of honor that one has enjoyed or the loss of self-esteem.

preferred death to life with dishonor

Where would ignominy be a reasonable alternative to disrepute?

In some situations, the words ignominy and disrepute are roughly equivalent. However, ignominy stresses humiliation.

the ignominy of being arrested

When is it sensible to use infamy instead of disrepute?

Although the words infamy and disrepute have much in common, 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 disrepute The charges include violations of the general principles of conduct, basic rules of decent conduct, using sporting events for non-sporting manifestations, and bringing the sport and UEFA into disrepute. Colin Millar, The Athletic, 19 July 2024 Employees are subject to boilerplate rules on not bringing the BBC into disrepute, per contractual clauses seen by Deadline. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 1 Aug. 2024 Anyway, Portia managed to cover the whole thing up to avoid disrepute. Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 15 May 2024 But that work—not his own—quickly fell into disrepute, and a larger crisis over irreproducible results began to spread. Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for disrepute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disrepute
Noun
  • Weak, low energy, words—a real disgrace some might say.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
  • These 36 words included anti-flag, betray, crisis, disgrace, failure, incompetent, liberal, radical, shallow, taxes, traitors, and welfare.
    Eli Amdur, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • There shouldn't be shame in aging—not all of us are trying to look 30.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
  • Nearly all the gifts showered upon them had morphed into curses: The wealth vanished, the children were struck dead, and the fame transformed into shame.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disrepute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disrepute. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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