DISREPUTE Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'disrepute' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of disrepute are disgrace , dishonor , ignominy , and infamy . While all these words mean "the state or condition of suffering loss of esteem and of enduring reproach," disrepute stresses loss of one's good name or the acquiring of a bad reputation. // a once proud name fallen into disrepute

Q: When would 'disgrace' be a good substitute for 'disrepute'?

The synonyms disgrace and disrepute are sometimes interchangeable, but disgrace often implies humiliation and sometimes ostracism. // sent home in disgrace

Q: When could 'dishonor' be used to replace 'disrepute'?

The words dishonor and disrepute are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dishonor emphasizes the loss of honor that one has enjoyed or the loss of self-esteem. // preferred death to life with dishonor

Q: Where would 'ignominy' be a reasonable alternative to 'disrepute'?

In some situations, the words ignominy and disrepute are roughly equivalent. However, ignominy stresses humiliation. // the ignominy of being arrested

Q: When is it sensible to use 'infamy' instead of 'disrepute'?

Although the words infamy and disrepute have much in common, infamy usually implies notoriety as well as exceeding shame. // a day that lives in infamy

disrepute

noun

ˌdis-ri-ˈpyüt

Definition of disrepute

as in disgrace

the state of having lost the esteem of others a once proud name fallen into disrepute

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How does the noun disrepute differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of disrepute are disgrace, dishonor, ignominy, and infamy. While all these words mean "the state or condition of suffering loss of esteem and of enduring reproach," disrepute stresses loss of one's good name or the acquiring of a bad reputation.

a once proud name fallen into disrepute

When would disgrace be a good substitute for disrepute?

The synonyms disgrace and disrepute are sometimes interchangeable, but disgrace often implies humiliation and sometimes ostracism.

sent home in disgrace

When could dishonor be used to replace disrepute?

The words dishonor and disrepute are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dishonor emphasizes the loss of honor that one has enjoyed or the loss of self-esteem.

preferred death to life with dishonor

Where would ignominy be a reasonable alternative to disrepute?

In some situations, the words ignominy and disrepute are roughly equivalent. However, ignominy stresses humiliation.

the ignominy of being arrested

When is it sensible to use infamy instead of disrepute?

Although the words infamy and disrepute have much in common, 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 disrepute And what should producers and consumers of American media, which is already in deep disrepute, think about Wolff, our least reputable face? — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 17 Nov. 2025 Something was lost when that tradition fell into disrepute. — Lula Konner, The New York Review of Books, 4 Oct. 2025 There’s no denying that digital currency, Web3 and blockchain still carry a certain air of disrepute. — Jamie Elkaleh, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 The board also found Proctor had created the appearance of bias in his dealings with a homicide suspect, and/or brought himself and the agency into disrepute. — Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for disrepute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disrepute

Noun

When Spiro Agnew resigned in disgrace over tax evasion, Kennerly was tapped to photograph one of his potential replacements as vice president, Gerald Ford.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Until Graham Platner’s Maine Senate campaign exploded in disgrace, Platner was routinely cast as a son of privilege playing Carhartt dress-up.

— Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of disgrace

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“Disrepute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disrepute. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of disrepute

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