dishonor

1 of 2

noun

dis·​hon·​or (ˌ)dis-ˈä-nər How to pronounce dishonor (audio)
 also  (ˌ)diz-
1
: lack or loss of honor or reputation
2
: the state of one who has lost honor or prestige : shame
has brought dishonor on his family
3
: a cause of disgrace
4
: the nonpayment or nonacceptance of commercial paper by the party on whom it is drawn
dishonorer
(ˌ)dis-ˈän-ər-ər How to pronounce dishonor (audio)
 also  (ˌ)diz-
noun

dishonor

2 of 2

verb

dishonored; dishonoring; dishonors

transitive verb

1
a
: to treat in a degrading manner
b
: to bring shame on
2
: to refuse to accept or pay (something, such as a bill or check)
Choose the Right Synonym for dishonor

disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, infamy, ignominy 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

dishonor emphasizes the loss of honor that one has enjoyed or the loss of self-esteem.

preferred death to life with dishonor

disrepute stresses loss of one's good name or the acquiring of a bad reputation.

a once proud name fallen into disrepute

infamy usually implies notoriety as well as exceeding shame.

a day that lives in infamy

ignominy stresses humiliation.

the ignominy of being arrested

Examples of dishonor in a Sentence

Noun warriors who choose death before dishonor He is afraid that his confession will bring dishonor on the family. Verb She dishonored her oath of office. The bank dishonored my check.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Macbeth’s themes of deceit and dishonor sit squarely within the director's filmography while also crafting one of the most atmospheric and affecting Shakespeare works to date. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2024 For some families, failing to provide an elaborate wedding can lead to dishonor or even death. Ira Trivedi, Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2015
Verb
Trump dishonored his nomination for president by using it to hawk for his own profit sneakers, bibles, watches, and crypto currency. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 Proximus uses it as a war cry against his own people, dishonoring Caesar’s attempt at unanimity. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dishonor 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English dishonour, from Anglo-French deshonur, from des- dis- + honur honor

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of dishonor was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near dishonor

Cite this Entry

“Dishonor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dishonor. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

dishonor

1 of 2 noun
dis·​hon·​or (ˈ)dis-ˈän-ər How to pronounce dishonor (audio)
1
: loss of honor or good name
2
: the state of one who has lost honor
3
: a cause of disgrace

dishonor

2 of 2 verb
1
: to bring shame on : disgrace
2
: to refuse to accept or pay (as a check)
dishonorer noun

Legal Definition

dishonor

1 of 2 noun
dis·​hon·​or
: refusal on the part of the issuer (as a bank) to pay or accept commercial paper (as a check) when it is presented see also wrongful dishonor

dishonor

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to refuse to pay or accept
a bank dishonoring the checks for insufficient funds

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