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

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as in scandal

a cause of shame the exposure of his criminal record was a huge disgrace for the councilman

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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

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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

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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

Former congressmen Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat, and Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican, may have left the House in disgrace -- but taxpayers are still set to contribute tens of thousands of dollars to their pensions. —

Anna Liss-Roy The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 27 Apr. 2026 The entire team is just a disgrace. —

Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026

Verb

Long enough to realize he’ll be disgraced in the history books, forevermore. —

Ted Johnson, Deadline, 7 May 2026 Eugenie, who is twelfth in line to the British throne, is the second daughter of King Charles’ disgraced younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. —

Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for disgrace

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disgrace

Noun

Bryna Laub, editor of Daytime Serial Newsletter, felt the show besmirched the sanctity of soaps and contributed to the broader currents of shame surrounding the genre.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
There’s no shame in the aging game, though.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026

Definition of shame

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disgorging

disgrace

disgraced

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“Disgrace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disgrace. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of disgrace

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