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

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in scandal

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Roger resigns in disgrace, his numerous groveling apologies go unaccepted and he is sentenced to a lifetime guest spot on The View. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Now 12 years later, Ballmer is another disgrace in a franchise history overrun with them. — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Verb

Those of royals who were or are disgraced, like the former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 16 Aug. 2026 Maybe at least one of them will disgrace themselves in an entertaining fashion. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disgrace

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disgrace

Noun

The French gêne par procuration delegates discomfort, while the German Fremdschämen means foreign shame.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
While the imposing box set itself is a portable 12-pound film school and an instant status symbol on your shelf, there’s no shame in clicking over for a preview.

— Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of shame

Noun

The pity of the judge who imprisoned them here was cold comfort for a group of people who had little reason to trust any legal authority.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Still, the track eventually collides into a seasick wall of distortion that recalls lovesliescrushing’s weightless takes on shoegaze as Pitchkites sings of unmet expectations and self pity.

— Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of pity

Verb

Baker periodically deployed Darman to discredit and even destroy Baker’s rivals for Presidential attention in the Administration.

— Bob Woodward, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Gates says Washburn’s petition is a first volley in an attempt to discredit and then defund the Wildlife Council.

— Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of discredit

Verb

Chicago embarrassed Philadelphia, while the Eagles squandered a late lead against the Rams before suffering an improbable loss to the Jaguars in London.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
The Longhorns’ offense scored 17 points against a Florida defense that Missouri and South Carolina embarrassed.

— Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of embarrass

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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 21 Oct. 2026.

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