dishonor

American

[dis-on-er] / dɪsˈɒn ər /

especially British, dishonour

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.

Related Words

See disgrace.

Other Word Forms

dishonorer noun
undishonored adjective

Etymology

Origin of dishonor

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“As a woman, this is really disgusting to see. Not to mention, it brings dishonor on the House of Representatives.”

From Salon • Feb. 25, 2026

To violate the terms of the agreement brings dishonor to the university.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2025

Mr Wolff wrote that executing Dorsey "will dishonor our system of capital punishment".

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2024

“There are things in this law that we don’t like, that part of the French population doesn’t like, that I don’t like, but that doesn’t dishonor us,” Veran said.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 20, 2023

"Yes," Yellow said, "tut what can we do? We cannot make it rain. We cannot dishonor Mother with disobedience."

From "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" by Grace Lin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023