Disgraced
/dɪsˈɡreɪst/
adjectiveverbB2past tense, past participle
Definition
Disgraced means to lose respect or good reputation because of something wrong a person did or a failure they caused. When someone is disgraced, people think less of them and may feel disappointed or ashamed for them. It often happens after a public mistake or crime.
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See It in Action
Having lost respect or honor because of bad actions or failure
- •The politician was disgraced after the corruption scandal.
- •She felt disgraced when her secret was made public.
- •The athlete was disgraced for using illegal drugs.
Past tense and past participle of the verb "disgrace," meaning to cause someone to lose respect
- •His actions disgraced the entire team.
- •The company was disgraced by the CEO’s dishonest behavior.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "disgraced" like "shamed," but stronger because it also means losing respect from many people, not just feeling bad inside.
- ✓Picture a person standing alone, with others turning their backs or looking away in disappointment.
- ✓It's the feeling when someone you trusted does something wrong, and you stop admiring them.
- ✓Sounds like "dis-GRAYST" → imagine a bright, colorful picture turning gray and dull because of bad news.
- ✓Think of a famous athlete caught cheating and then losing fans and honors—that person is disgraced.
- ✓NOT like "mistake" (a small error), "disgraced" means serious damage to reputation.
- ✓NOT like "embarrassed" (feeling awkward or shy), "disgraced" means people see you as dishonored or untrustworthy.
- ✓NOT like "fired" (losing a job), but often related because disgrace can cause losing a job or position.
Try Other Words
- •Dishonored: lost honor or respect (Use when emphasizing loss of honor, often in formal or serious contexts)
- •Humiliated: made to feel very ashamed or embarrassed (Use when focusing on personal feelings of shame rather than public reputation)
- •Discredited: caused to lose trust or belief (Use when trust or belief in someone's abilities or words is lost)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "dis-" means "not" or "opposite of"
- •Root: "grace" means "honor," "favor," or "respect"
- •Etymology: From Latin "dis-" + Old French "grace," meaning loss of favor or respect
- •Historical development: Used since the 1500s to describe loss of honor or respect because of bad behavior or failure
- •Modern usage: Often used in news or stories about people who lose their good reputation after scandals or mistakes
Reflect & Connect
•How might someone recover from being disgraced? What actions could help regain respect?
•Can a person be disgraced unfairly? How does public opinion affect this?
Fill in the blanks
1.The politician was disgraced ___ the corruption scandal that shocked the country.
2.After the athlete was caught cheating, he was disgraced and lost all his ___.
3.Unlike simple embarrassment, being disgraced means losing ___ in the eyes of many people.
4.The CEO’s dishonest actions disgraced the company and caused a ___ in sales.
5.People often feel disgraced when their mistakes become ___ to everyone.
6.Being disgraced can lead to losing a job or position because others no longer ___ you.
7.Sometimes, a person can feel ashamed but not be publicly disgraced if the mistake is ___ known.