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
Weak, low energy, words—a real disgrace some might say. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025 These 36 words included anti-flag, betray, crisis, disgrace, failure, incompetent, liberal, radical, shallow, taxes, traitors, and welfare. Eli Amdur, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
The allegations echoed the earlier influence-peddling scandal surrounding disgraced former President Park Geun-hye, which led to nationwide protests in 2017 and the impeachment of South Korea’s first female President. Charlie Campbell, Time, 4 Apr. 2025 Some former generals involved in martial law decades ago had ended up in prison and been publicly disgraced. Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disgrace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disgrace
Noun
  • Not only was this request rejected, but on each occasion that Lee privately visited the police, the media was tipped off in advance, forcing the actor to take a walk of shame past a sea of reporters and cameras ready and poised at the station’s entrance — further feeding the media frenzy.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
  • But how does an actor expose himself to pain and suffering — and shame?
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • The flamboyant Powell, a famed political figure in the city first elected to the House in 1944, was ill and haunted by scandal at the time.
    Deepti Hajela, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2025
  • Still, after being embroiled in the scandal, Rangel was reelected and went on to serve two more terms in Congress -- and was still widely respected.
    Sarah Beth Hensley, ABC News, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • What a beautiful thing about the human species: A creature that actually seeks to feel the stresses of other lives, to feel pity, and hope and sorrow for — well, forgive me, dear friend — the fate of others.
    Samantha Dunn, Oc Register, 19 May 2025
  • As Edith slowly falls in love, Anton struggles to understand if his feelings for her are genuine or merely out of pity, while the ominous threat of the first World War looms over them.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Simone Inzaghi really needs the win here — his Italian side finished one point behind Serie A champ Napoli and was humiliated by rival AC Milan in the Coppa Italia semifinal.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 31 May 2025
  • And after Trump’s attempts to humiliate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office, the lure of the White House is waning.
    Stephen Collinson, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • Injuries contributed to the Pacers’ series wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but claiming the Pacers only advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for a second straight postseason because of lucky breaks discredits their greatness.
    Jovan Buha, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • The former Minnesota Democratic congressman was widely shunned for running against Biden and discredited for his accusations that Biden wasn’t capable of being president again.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • McGregor dismantled Aldo during the pre-fight lead-up and subsequently embarrassed him in 13 seconds at UFC 194 in 2015.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • But Mei is convinced her overbearing mother only exists to embarrass while never understanding her struggles.
    Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 8 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disgrace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disgrace. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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