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 next

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Examples of dishonor in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On Wednesday, that dishonor went to Josh Jones and Ben Cleveland, as several offensive linemen committed a false start for the third straight day. —

Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 24 July 2024 The real dishonor of their house is literally nude before them, and he’s destroyed at the hands of the entire gumi. —

Andy Andersen, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2024

Verb

Jake Gyllenhaal dishonors Ford with a perplexingly flat performance as Rusty; Ruth Negga makes the best of the underwritten role of his mysteriously loyal wife, Barbara; and Peter Sarsgaard has fun playing Rusty’s scheming nemesis, Tommy Molto. —

Judy Berman, TIME, 12 June 2024 Voting for Biden would be dishonoring all those who have died. —

USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dishonor

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dishonor

Noun

But after two impeachments, a reelection defeat, the disgrace of January 6, multiple indictments, a felony conviction, and much else besides, Trump has gained strength rather than shed it.

Rich Lowry, National Review, 30 Oct. 2024
Morris has stepped down in disgrace, many elders were removed from their positions, and thousands of members have left the Gateway family.

Eric Killelea, Chron, 10 Oct. 2024