disreputable
Americanadjective
-
not reputable; having a bad reputation.
a disreputable barroom.
-
- Synonyms:
- shameful, louche, low, objectionable, unprincipled, ignoble, disgraceful
-
shabby or shoddy; of poor quality or condition.
disreputable clothes.
adjective
-
having or causing a lack of repute
-
disordered in appearance
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of disreputable
Explanation
If a person or organization is disreputable, they have an image problem. They are — or at least appear to be — crooked, shady, or just plain bad news. See how the word reputation is partially hidden in disreputable? If a person is disreputable, they have a bad reputation for some reason. A student caught cheating will get a bad reputation with teachers and become disreputable. A politician caught in a scandal could become disreputable. If an airline crashes a plane, they will become disreputable. When someone or something is disreputable, people no longer trust them. Even if the reality is different, it's hard to shake off a disreputable image.
Vocabulary lists containing disreputable
Fever 1793
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The City of Ember
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Haunting of Hill House
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The committee found Cleverly had breached three areas of the council's code for members relating to equality, respect and consideration of others, and disreputable conduct.
From BBC ● Apr. 26, 2026
Press reports suggest Mr. Swalwell’s disreputable behavior wasn’t a secret in the party.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 19, 2026
Recent disreputable media sources have referred to World War III and talked about who would most likely be drafted to fight in that war.
From Salon ● Jan. 16, 2026
Bad advice does not always equate to disreputable used-car salespeople.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 14, 2025
The subject was then considered by most professional astronomers to be at least slightly disreputable, tainted with Lowellian excesses.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
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.
