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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 By the time the Rolling Stones visited in 1967, the city known as the Door of Africa had descended into disrepute. — Stephanie Rafanelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2023 But two historical developments — one technological and one philosophical — have since brought memorization into disrepute. — Daniel Buck, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026 As genetics, psychology, and neuroscience ascended, the twentieth century sent physiognomy back into disrepute, and today, from Lavater to Lombroso, its promoters may seem a racist shade of quaint. — Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 Its popularity lasted well into the early nineteenth century, declining only after the surrounding neighborhood fell into disrepute, causing the once proud establishment to eventually shut its doors. — James Dodson july 7, Literary Hub, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for disrepute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disrepute

Noun

The man who’d held the presidency before Gerald Ford had resigned in disgrace two years earlier.

— Lynn Schmidt, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
Well, its’ interesting because for many years the Republican Party revered Reagan much more than Nixon, partly because Reagan was a successful president and Nixon, of course, ended his presidency in disgrace.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 June 2026

Definition of disgrace

Noun

With wonder and with great shame the yodel is an orphaned sound, a sound that turns the serenade toward an addressee that is destined to never hear it.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
Altitude is going to be a leveller, just a shame there are no West Bromwich Albion players in the England squad.

— Phil Hay, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of shame

Cite this Entry

Style

“Disrepute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disrepute. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of disrepute

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on disrepute

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perfunctory

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes