Disgrace — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /di-ˈskrās/ dis·grace

Meaning & Definition of Disgrace

Disgrace (verb)

  1. to be a source of shame to
  2. to cause to lose favor or standing
  3. to humiliate by a superior showing

Disgrace (noun)

  1. the condition of one fallen from grace, the condition of one who has lost honor
  2. loss of grace, favor, or honor
  3. a source of shame

Disgrace (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the state of having lost the esteem of others

    "the players who threw the game were in disgrace with their schoolmates"

    similar: discredit, disesteem, dishonor, disrepute, ignominy, infamy, obloquy, odium, opprobrium, reproach, shame
    related: scandal, contempt, despite, disdain, scorn, deprecation, disapprobation, disapproval, disfavor, abasement, debasement, debasing, degradation, dust, humbling, humiliation, blot, brand, shadow, slur, smirch, spot, stain, stigma, taint
    opposite: esteem, honor, respect
    near: admiration, appreciation, estimation, regard, awe, fear, reverence, fame, glory, renown, repute

  2. a cause of shame

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

    similar: dishonor, opprobrium, reflection, reproach, scandal
    related: blot, brand, slur, smirch, spot, stain, stigma, taint
    opposite: credit, honor
    near: boast, glory, jewel, pride, treasure

  3. 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"

    similar: crime, pity, shame, sin
    related: outrage, scandal

Disgrace (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes

    "disgraced by the shameful actions of their leader"

    similar: abase, chasten, cheapen, debase, degrade, demean, discredit, dishonor, foul, humble, humiliate, lower, shame, sink, smirch, take down
    related: abash, confound, confuse, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, embarrass, faze, fluster, mortify, nonplus, rattle, belittle, castigate, criticize, cry down, decry, depreciate, detract, diminish, discount, disparage, minimize, put down, ridicule, write off, bad-mouth, defame, defile, libel, malign, slander, affront, insult, censure, condemn, damn, denounce, execrate, reprehend, reprobate
    opposite: aggrandize, canonize, deify, elevate, exalt
    near: acclaim, applaud, boast, celebrate, cheer, cite, commend, compliment, congratulate, decorate, eulogize, extol, fete, hail, honor, laud, praise, salute, tout, acknowledge, recognize, highlight, play up, spotlight, dignify, ennoble, enshrine, ensky, enthrone, glorify, magnify, advance, boost, lift, promote, raise, upgrade, uplift, idealize, romanticize

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Disgrace

The most common words with a similar meaning to Disgrace:

discredit, disesteem, dishonor, disrepute, ignominy, infamy, obloquy, odium, opprobrium, reproach, shame, reflection, scandal, crime, pity, sin, abase, chasten, cheapen, debase, degrade, demean, foul, humble, humiliate, lower, sink, smirch, take down

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Disgrace

Words with the opposite meaning of Disgrace:

esteem, honor, respect, credit, aggrandize, canonize, deify, elevate, exalt

Related Words for Disgrace

contempt, despite, disdain, scorn, deprecation, disapprobation, disapproval, disfavor, abasement, debasement, debasing, degradation, dust, humbling, humiliation, blot, brand, shadow, slur, spot, stain, stigma, taint, outrage, abash, confound, confuse, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance

Near Antonyms of Disgrace

admiration, appreciation, estimation, regard, awe, fear, reverence, fame, glory, renown, repute, boast, jewel, pride, treasure, acclaim, applaud, celebrate, cheer, cite, commend, compliment, congratulate, decorate, eulogize, extol, fete, hail, laud, praise

Word Forms of Disgrace

Inflections: disgraced, disgracing, disgraces

Derived words: disgracer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Disgrace

Middle French, from Old Italian disgrazia, from dis- (from Latin) + grazia grace, from Latin gratia grace

First known use: 1580

Words & Phrases Containing Disgrace

it is no disgrace

Frequently Asked Questions about Disgrace

What does "Disgrace" mean?

"Disgrace" means to be a source of shame to. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to be a source of shame to. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Disgrace"?

Other words for "Disgrace" include discredit, disesteem, dishonor, disrepute, ignominy, infamy, obloquy and odium. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Disgrace" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Disgrace"?

There are 94 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Disgrace". Common alternatives include discredit, disesteem, dishonor, disrepute, ignominy, infamy, obloquy, odium, opprobrium and reproach.

What is the opposite of "Disgrace"?

Antonyms of "Disgrace" include esteem, honor, respect, credit, aggrandize, canonize, deify and elevate. Near antonyms include admiration, appreciation, estimation and regard.

How do you use "Disgrace" in a sentence?

Examples of "Disgrace" in a sentence: "the players who threw the game were in disgrace with their schoolmates"; "the exposure of his criminal record was a huge disgrace for the councilman"; "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".

Is "Disgrace" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Disgrace" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Disgrace"?

"Disgrace" is pronounced /di-ˈskrās/ and divided into syllables as dis·grace.

What is the origin of the word "Disgrace"?

"Disgrace" comes from Middle French, from Old Italian disgrazia, from dis- (from Latin) + grazia grace, from Latin gratia grace. First known use: 1580.