dishonor

especially British, dis·hon·our

[dis-on-er]

noun

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

2. disgrace; ignominy; shame.

   His arrest brought dishonor to his family.

3. an indignity; insult.

   to do someone a dishonor.

4. a cause of shame or disgrace.

   He is a dishonor to his family.

5. 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)

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

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

3. to rape or seduce.

Other Word Forms

• dishonorer noun
• undishonored adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dishonor¹

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

Synonym Study

See disgrace.

Example Sentences

The sad state of the memorial doesn’t dishonor Kennedy, it dishonors local officials.

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“It dishonors the service of the brave men and women whose names are on that wall,” Berardino said.

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

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“In her own good land here she’s been abused, / She’s been burned, dishonored, denied, refused.”

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He talked behind my back in ways that I felt dishonored me.

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Related Words

• debase 
• defile 
• discredit 
• disgrace 
• sully