DISGRACE Synonyms: 158 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

disgrace 1 of 2

noun

Definition of disgrace next

as in shame

the state of having lost the esteem of others the players who threw the game were in disgrace with their schoolmates

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

di-ˈskrās

as in to humiliate

to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes disgraced by the shameful actions of their leader

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

There was also non-scripted fare such as the headline-grabbing Phillip Schofield: Castaway – the presenter’s first show since his exit in disgrace from ITV’s This Morning. —

Max Goldbart, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025 Newly unemployed after being fired in disgrace, Hamm’s character turns to stealing from his neighbors’ homes to keep up his affluent lifestyle. —

Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2025

Verb

Since the Hamas terror attacks of October 7, Canadian cities have been disgraced by anti-Semitic incidents of accelerating violence. —

David Frum, The Atlantic, 15 Jan. 2025 The boy’s rich parents land on former party girl and disgraced girl-band member Florence Grimes’ son, Dylan, who was mercilessly bullied by Alfie. —

Shannon Carlin, TIME, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for disgrace

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disgrace

Noun

There is a whole world outside the shame a man brings upon a woman, a world far from that.

— Sheila Heti, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025
There’s a lot of shame that comes with that, and there is a concern that she won’t be accepted by her friends.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025