disgrace 1 of 2

1
2
as in scandal
a cause of shame the exposure of his criminal record was a huge disgrace for the councilman

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in pity
a regrettable or blameworthy act it's a disgrace to let all the leftover food from the banquet go to waste, so let's deliver it to the homeless shelter

Synonyms & Similar Words

disgrace

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun disgrace differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of disgrace are dishonor, disrepute, ignominy, and infamy. While all these words mean "the state or condition of suffering loss of esteem and of enduring reproach," disgrace often implies humiliation and sometimes ostracism.

sent home in disgrace

When could dishonor be used to replace disgrace?

While in some cases nearly identical to disgrace, dishonor emphasizes the loss of honor that one has enjoyed or the loss of self-esteem.

preferred death to life with dishonor

In what contexts can disrepute take the place of disgrace?

In some situations, the words disrepute and disgrace are roughly equivalent. However, disrepute stresses loss of one's good name or the acquiring of a bad reputation.

a once proud name fallen into disrepute

Where would ignominy be a reasonable alternative to disgrace?

The synonyms ignominy and disgrace are sometimes interchangeable, but ignominy stresses humiliation.

the ignominy of being arrested

When is infamy a more appropriate choice than disgrace?

The words infamy and disgrace can be used in similar contexts, but infamy usually implies notoriety as well as exceeding shame.

a day that lives in infamy

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disgrace
Noun
Trump rebounded from disgrace to the Republican nomination Republicans could have been finished with Trump after Jan. 6, 2021. Chris Megerian, Twin Cities, 4 Nov. 2024 But after two impeachments, a reelection defeat, the disgrace of January 6, multiple indictments, a felony conviction, and much else besides, Trump has gained strength rather than shed it. Rich Lowry, National Review, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
He was then recruited by the controversial and now disgraced Mohammed Al-Fayed, who owned Harrods in London at the time, to work at that store for four years, helping to improve its marketing, store displays and windows. Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 26 Oct. 2024 George Conway, the former Republican (and White House husband) turned leading anti-Trumper, states bleakly on his podcast for the Bulwark, the news-and-opinion site, that Trump’s whole purpose is to avoid imprisonment, a motivation that would disgrace the leader of any Third World country. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for disgrace 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disgrace
Noun
  • Perhaps some shame or embarrassment comes with the changing perceptions of both clubs on a personal level, but Steinbrenner isn’t his dad, who used to think spring training games against the Mets were must-win affairs and would surely be seething right now.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 9 Dec. 2024
  • The series was built around Andy working her way up the ladder at the department, so for Station 19 to barely allow viewers to enjoy her being Captain and jump straight to Fire Chief is a shame.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • However the constitution grants the president the power to preemptively excuse individuals, the most famous case being Gerald Ford granting President Nixon a pardon for his role in the Watergate scandal.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Both were among 15 officers linked to a racist text message scandal in the Torrance Police Department.
    James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Even Silent Hill 2 Remake released on Steam at the same time (though not on Xbox, more’s the pity).
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Charles mixes pity and hostility in his relationship to Valentin (Nicolas Deguy), a nihilist junkie who robs church collection boxes and becomes the agent of Charles’s fate.
    Armond White, National Review, 25 Sep. 2024
Verb
  • To see the reigning English champions humiliated and humbled in such a manner is a very rare event.
    Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024
  • Teeny feels humiliated over the fact that Genevieve left her out of the Sol vote, which is more than understandable.
    Nick Caruso, TVLine, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Yaeger questioned why Mangum had not come forward earlier or sent apologies directly to the three former lacrosse players, long after her allegations were discredited.
    Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
  • This response was a bold, unfiltered counterpunch meant to discredit the lawsuit, take aim at Buzbee, and flip the narrative.
    Molly McPherson, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • This could be used improperly to pressure or embarrass the opposing party.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
  • Reporters circle, looking for a chance to embarrass the military for accepting Black women into its ranks, while male colleagues are openly disrespectful, with Gen. Halt (Dean Norris) setting a contemptuous example from the top.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near disgrace

Cite this Entry

“Disgrace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disgrace. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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