# disgraceful

/dɪsˈɡɹeɪsfəɫ/ (US) · /dɪsɡɹˈeɪsfəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/disgraceful
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

very bad or shocking in a way that makes people feel angry or ashamed.

For teachers: deserving of strong condemnation or social disapproval due to a lack of morality or standards.

## Examples

- The state of the public toilets is disgraceful.
- It is disgraceful that the company refused to pay its workers for the extra hours they worked.
- The committee found the lack of oversight to be disgraceful, noting that such negligence had directly led to the catastrophic failure of the infrastructure project.

## Usage notes

- Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'look', or 'seem'.

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