disgrace

[ dis-greys ]

noun

1. the loss of respect, honor, or esteem; ignominy; shame:

   the disgrace of criminals.

   Synonyms: taint, notoriety, disapprobation, disapproval

   Antonyms: honor

2. a person, act, or thing that causes shame, reproach, or dishonor or is dishonorable or shameful.
3. the state of being out of favor; exclusion from favor, confidence, or trust:

   courtiers and ministers in disgrace.

   Synonyms: obloquy, odium, disfavor

verb (used with object)

, dis·graced, dis·grac·ing.

1. to bring or reflect shame or reproach upon:

   to be disgraced by cowardice.

   Synonyms: taint, sully, stain, defame, dishonor

2. to dismiss with discredit; put out of grace or favor; rebuke or humiliate:

   to be disgraced at court.

   Synonyms: disapprove, degrade

disgrace

/ dɪsˈɡreɪs /

noun

1. a condition of shame, loss of reputation, or dishonour
2. a shameful person, thing, or state of affairs
3. exclusion from confidence or trust

   he is in disgrace with his father

verb

1. to bring shame upon; be a discredit to
2. to treat or cause to be treated with disfavour

Derived Forms

• disˈgracer, noun

Other Words From

• dis·gracer noun
• predis·grace noun
• quasi-dis·graced adjective
• self-dis·grace noun
• self-dis·graced adjective
• self-dis·gracing adjective
• undis·graced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of disgrace¹

1540–50; (noun) < Middle French < Italian disgrazia, equivalent to dis- dis- ¹ + grazia < Latin gratia ( grace ); (v.) < Middle French disgracier < Italian disgraziare, derivative of disgrazia

Synonym Study

Disgrace, dishonor, ignominy, infamy imply a very low position in the opinion of others. Disgrace implies the disfavor of others: to be in disgrace. Dishonor implies a stain on honor or honorable reputation; it relates especially to the person's own conduct: He preferred death to dishonor. Ignominy is disgrace in which one's situation invites contempt: the ignominy of being discovered cheating. Infamy is shameful notoriety, or baseness of action or character that is widely known and recognized: The children never outlived the father's infamy.

Example Sentences

Years later, my brother still believes that being a girl is a disgrace, just like most of the local boys think nowadays.

From The Daily Beast

I was made to believe that being a girl was such a disgrace and I was something really awful.

From The Daily Beast

This is a national disgrace, and if we don't do something about it, we will all pay a terrible, terrible price.

From The Daily Beast

The fight seemed to break up after the failed punch, and Bieber had to leave the restaurant in disgrace.

From The Daily Beast

Hillary Clinton would have been, too, or forced to resign in disgrace.

From The Daily Beast

The Marshals were inclined to attribute their disgrace to the ill-will of Berthier and not to the temper of Napoleon.

From Project Gutenberg

I nursed him through several attacks of delirium tremens, and was always in fear that he would get out and disgrace us.

From Project Gutenberg

Hitherto we have honoured his drafts, and kept your name and his free from disgrace.

From Project Gutenberg

"You spoke of disgrace," she observed gently, swaying her fan before her by its silken cord.

From Project Gutenberg

But glorious as was his success, his impetuosity soon brought him into further disgrace.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• contempt
• degradation
• dishonor
• disrespect
• humiliation
• ignominy
• opprobrium
• reproach
• scorn
• stigma