Dishonor — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /(ˌ)dis-ˈä-nər/ dis·hon·or

Meaning & Definition of Dishonor

Dishonor (noun)

  1. lack or loss of honor or reputation
  2. the state of one who has lost honor or prestige, shame
  3. a cause of disgrace

Dishonor (verb)

  1. to treat in a degrading manner
  2. to bring shame on
  3. to refuse to accept or pay (something, such as a bill or check)

Dishonor (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the state of having lost the esteem of others

    "a person of integrity who would prefer death to dishonor"

    similar: discredit, disesteem, disgrace, 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

    "your expulsion from the military academy for cheating is a dishonor to this family"

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

Dishonor (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

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

    "dishonored herself by fixing the results of her medical research"

    similar: abase, chasten, cheapen, debase, degrade, demean, discredit, disgrace, 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 Dishonor

The most common words with a similar meaning to Dishonor:

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

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Dishonor

Words with the opposite meaning of Dishonor:

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

Related Words for Dishonor

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

Near Antonyms of Dishonor

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 Dishonor

Inflections: dishonored, dishonoring, dishonors

Derived words: dishonorer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Dishonor

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

First known use: 13th century

Words & Phrases Containing Dishonor

there's no dishonor in

Frequently Asked Questions about Dishonor

What does "Dishonor" mean?

"Dishonor" means lack or loss of honor or reputation. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: lack or loss of honor or reputation. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Dishonor"?

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

What are different ways to say "Dishonor"?

There are 90 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Dishonor". Common alternatives include discredit, disesteem, disgrace, disrepute, ignominy, infamy, obloquy, odium, opprobrium and reproach.

What is the opposite of "Dishonor"?

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

How do you use "Dishonor" in a sentence?

Examples of "Dishonor" in a sentence: "a person of integrity who would prefer death to dishonor"; "your expulsion from the military academy for cheating is a dishonor to this family"; "dishonored herself by fixing the results of her medical research".

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

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

How do you pronounce "Dishonor"?

"Dishonor" is pronounced /(ˌ)dis-ˈä-nər/ and divided into syllables as dis·hon·or.

What is the origin of the word "Dishonor"?

"Dishonor" comes from Middle English dishonour, from Anglo-French deshonur, from des- dis- + honur honor. First known use: 13th century.