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.

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

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2025

According to Patterson, social death is a state of permanent and violent domination coupled with physical separation from one’s family or homeland and marked by a pervasive condition of dishonor.

From Salon • Nov. 10, 2024

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

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2024

He was named player of the game for that dishonor.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 21, 2024

“We don’t teach a child to dishonor her mother or father. Not in this house.”

From "Gone Crazy in Alabama" by Rita Williams-Garcia

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