Word
dishonorable
Phoneticsdis·hon·or·able
/dɪˈsɑnɝəbəɫ/
UK spelling · dishonourable
Definition
adj. describing an action or person that is not honest or fair. You use this when someone loses the respect of others because they did something shameful.
adj. deserving of shame or disgrace; lacking integrity or moral principles. Often describes conduct that violates a code of ethics or a professional standard.
Examples
“It was dishonorable of him to lie to his teammates.”
“The officer was dismissed from his post following a series of dishonorable actions that damaged the reputation of the entire department.”
“History often judges those who choose a dishonorable path for personal gain more harshly than those who fail while attempting to act with integrity.”
Examples
simple
“It was dishonorable of him to lie to his teammates.”
contextual
“The officer was dismissed from his post following a series of dishonorable actions that damaged the reputation of the entire department.”
complex
“History often judges those who choose a dishonorable path for personal gain more harshly than those who fail while attempting to act with integrity.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “dishonorable” in context.
Verb
01. consider dishonorable
“Most cultures consider the betrayal of a friend to be dishonorable.”
verb + adj
02. deem dishonorable
“The court deemed his conduct dishonorable and stripped him of his rank.”
verb + adj
03. remain dishonorable
“Despite his excuses, his treatment of the refugees remains dishonorable.”
verb + adj
Adjective
04. deeply dishonorable
“The committee described the senator's actions as deeply dishonorable.”
adv + adj
05. inherently dishonorable
“There is nothing inherently dishonorable about admitting you were wrong.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. dishonorable conduct
“The officer was dismissed for dishonorable conduct during the mission.”
adj + noun
07. dishonorable discharge
“He faced a dishonorable discharge following the investigation into his conduct.”
adj + noun
08. dishonorable intentions
“She suspected he had dishonorable intentions regarding the family inheritance.”
adj + noun
09. a highly dishonorable act
“Stealing from the charity was considered a highly dishonorable act.”
10. guilty of dishonorable conduct
“The board found the physician guilty of dishonorable conduct.”
11. receive a dishonorable discharge
“The soldier was warned that he might receive a dishonorable discharge.”
Usage
Typically used to modify nouns related to behavior, such as 'conduct', 'intentions', or 'discharge'.
Real-World Examples
“The announcement from Mr. Swalwell, 45, marked a dishonorable end to what had been a very public-facing and ambitious Washington career founded on cable news appearances and criticisms of President Trump.” “Clearly, ganging up on someone like that is dishonorable.” “And it may provide just the catharsis you need in an American moment notorious for dishonorable and divisive behavior.” “Many of the sector's issues can be traced back to two fundamental misconceptions—a noble one that is often undervalued and a dishonorable one that is widely accepted.” Etymology
Derived from the Middle English 'dishonourable', which comes from the Old French 'deshonorable'. It combines the prefix 'dis-' (meaning 'away' or 'apart') with 'honorable', ultimately tracing back to the Latin 'honorabilis'.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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