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)

disgraced, disgracing 

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

Other Word Forms

• disgracer noun
• predisgrace noun
• quasi-disgraced adjective
• self-disgrace noun
• self-disgraced adjective
• self-disgracing adjective
• undisgraced 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

Those clemencies came on top of the commutation awarded last month to George Santos, the disgraced former New York congressman found guilty of defrauding donors and lying to the House of Representatives.

Read more on Salon

Mr Rackham said he would not be naming the disgraced team and, even though they were banned from the quiz, they were still welcome in the pub.

Read more on BBC

"When corruption infiltrates the sport, it brings disgrace not only to the participants but damages the public trust in an institution that is vital and dear to all of us," Mr Nocella added.

Read more on BBC

"When corruption infiltrates the sport, it brings disgrace not only to the participants but damages the public trust in an institution that is vital and dear to all of us."

Read more on Barron's

The US president said it was a "total disgrace" that South Africa is hosting the meeting, where leaders from the world's largest economies will gather in Johannesburg later this month.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• besmirch 
• debase 
• defame 
• defile 
• degrade 
• discredit 
• dishonor 
• disparage 
• disrespect 
• humiliate 
• reproach 
• slander 
• stigmatize 
• sully 
• tarnish