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

Example 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
Listen to this article A major with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office who took the helm of the Kissimmee Police Department after its chief resigned in disgrace has left to make way for an acting chief: longtime Deputy Chief Wilson Muñoz. Cristóbal Reyes, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025 And this statement is a disgrace to the DOJ and the rule of law. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
Will formerly disgraced Russian performers return to American halls? Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025 Loading your audio article With the San Jose District 3 special election less than two months away, candidates in the crowded field to replace disgraced former Councilmember Omar Torres have begun to roll out their policy platforms in hopes of winning the support of voters. Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disgrace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disgrace
Noun
  • The much bigger shame with Social Security is that it’s forced savings sans any kind of equity component.
    John Tamny, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • There’s no shame at this no-audition choir that’s teaching Angelenos to sing.
    Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • But desserts like it, ones that use gelatin and pudding mixes, were at their peak of popularity in the mid-20th century, several years before the Watergate scandal that brought down President Richard Nixon.
    Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Holtz joined Northwestern in the fall of 2023 as an assistant to interim head coach David Braun after Pat Fitzgerald’s firing over a hazing scandal.
    Chris Vannini, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Which is a pity, because the pedigree looks great on paper.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Here’s what autism isn’t, Gross says – something to be scared of or pity.
    Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Remember, Trump kicked off his political career by claiming Obama wasn't born here, and reportedly decided to run for president only after Obama humiliated him to his face at the White House Correspondents Dinner in 2011.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
  • In addition to the City of Hartford and Hartford School Board, the complaint named Tilda Santiago, a special education case manager who allegedly repeatedly bullied and harassed Ortiz by yelling and humiliating the teen in front of other students and teachers.
    David Chiu, People.com, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • President Trump on Tuesday escalated his campaign to discredit judges who get in his way, calling on Congress to impeach the judge at the center of a legal fight over the deportation of hundreds of immigrants to El Salvador.
    Brian Bennett, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025
  • More often than not these spins have one end goal: to dismiss or discredit someone or something.
    Lucy Dolan-Zalaznick, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Get okay with the idea that in the future, your past work will embarrass you.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Other times, the film feels too coy, as if embarrassed by itself.
    Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disgrace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disgrace. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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