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.

Related Words

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