dishonor
Americannoun
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lack or loss of honor; disgraceful or dishonest character or conduct.
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disgrace; ignominy; shame.
His arrest brought dishonor to his family.
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an indignity; insult.
to do someone a dishonor.
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a cause of shame or disgrace.
He is a dishonor to his family.
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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)
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to deprive of honor; disgrace; bring reproach or shame on.
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Commerce. to fail or refuse to honor or pay (a draft, check, etc.).
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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; see dis- 1, honor
Explanation
Dishonor is a state of shame and disgrace. If you were caught lip-syncing to a recording during a singing contest, you’d probably feel a sense of dishonor. Honor has to do with respect, so dishonor involves a lack of respect. If you dishonor something, you’ve brought shame to it. Athletes who cheat during a game have dishonored themselves and their teams. You can also say a shameful act brings dishonor. When a politician is involved in a scandal, it brings dishonor to his or her reputation.
Vocabulary lists containing dishonor
Workshop 4, Part 2
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Simply Scandalous!
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"Pashmina" by Nidhi Chanani
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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.
Moreover, for Aristotle, hubris is not an offense against the gods but is characterized by acts that dishonor other persons.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
“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
“Have you forgotten your manners? This is my house! Amir agha is my guest tonight and I will not allow you to dishonor me like this!”
From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
