dishonor

[ dis-on-er ]

/ dɪsˈɒn ər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dishonor ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

lack or loss of honor; disgraceful or dishonest character or conduct.

disgrace; ignominy; shame: His arrest brought dishonor to his family.

an indignity; insult: to do someone a dishonor.

a cause of shame or disgrace: He is a dishonor to his family.

Commerce. failure or refusal of the drawee or intended acceptor of a bill of exchange or note to accept it or, if it is accepted, to pay and retire it.

verb (used with object)

to deprive of honor; disgrace; bring reproach or shame on.

Commerce. to fail or refuse to honor or pay (a draft, check, etc.).

to rape or seduce.

Nearby words

disheveled, dishevelled, dishful, dishonest, dishonesty, dishonor, dishonorable, dishonorable discharge, dishonour, dishonourable, dishpan

Also especially British, dis·hon·our.

Origin of dishonor

1250–1300; Middle English dishonour (noun), dishonouren (v.) < Anglo-French, Old French; see dis-¹, honor

Related forms

dis·hon·or·er, nounun·dis·hon·ored, adjective

Synonym study

1, 2. See disgrace.

Examples from the Web for dishonor

THE DISHONOR OF HONOR KILLINGS Imagine a young woman killed by her own relatives for failing to obey.
Lone Star Leaders||October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The fiery trial through which we pass, will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation.
Lincoln Was the Founders’ Heir Apparent|Harvey J. Kaye|October 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We witnessed rape, dishonor and the destruction of families.
An Ex-Radical's Open Letter to ISIS Fighters: Quit Now While You Can!|Maajid Nawaz|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I felt my death would spare my wife, daughter and myself the dishonor the rape brought upon us.
Retired Marine Reveals Secret Suffering of Male Military Rape Victims|Caitlin Dickson|February 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Accusations of dishonor demonize and demoralize, making it difficult to compromise, and sapping the motivation to act nobly.
Delegitimizing Israel Makes Peace Harder to Achieve|Gil Troy|February 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Had she never falsely possessed herself of that to which she had no claim, this dishonor would have been saved her.
A Changed Heart|May Agnes Fleming
Jean, you must not keep this legacy which by to-morrow may have brought suspicion and dishonor on our mother.
The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume VIII.|Guy de Maupassant
And when I explain matters you will be quick to catch the dishonor of their actions.
The Meadow-Brook Girls Under Canvas|Janet Aldridge
You will save an innocent, broken-hearted lady from death and dishonor.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 18, No. 107, September, 1866|Various
Why did the priest have to dishonor his mother and father so?
Shaman|Robert Shea