dishonor
/dɪˈsɒn.ər/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈsɑː.nɚ/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)dis-ˈä-nər also (ˌ)diz-/ (ame, mw)
dishonor — noun
1. the condition of having lost the respect of other people because you have done s
the condition of having lost the respect of other people because you have done something morally wrong or shameful
The senator chose to resign rather than bring dishonor on his family.
bring dishonor on + family/group
For the old soldier, surrender was worse than death — it meant total dishonor.
Amara felt a deep sense of dishonor after realizing she had lied under oath.
The newspaper article brought dishonor upon the entire university by exposing the cheating ring.
用法筆記
Common in formal and literary contexts. Often used in the fixed expressions 'bring dishonor on/upon + [person/institution]'.
常見錯誤
dishonor — verb
- dishonorpresent simple I / you / we / they
- dishonors3rd person singular
- dishonoring-ing form
- dishonoredpast simple
1. to treat someone in a way that takes away their human dignity and makes them fee
to treat someone in a way that takes away their human dignity and makes them feel worthless or humiliated
The guards dishonored the prisoners by forcing them to eat their meals off the floor.
dishonor + someone + by + doing something
No employee should be dishonored by being yelled at in front of coworkers.
passive: be dishonored by + situation
Jin felt dishonored when the manager publicly accused him of stealing without any proof.
The general dishonored the captured soldiers by refusing them basic medical treatment.
文法句型
dishonor + someone
be dishonored by + someone/something
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice ('be dishonored by...'). Stronger and more formal than 'disrespect' or 'humiliate'.
常見錯誤
2. to cause a person, group, or institution to lose the good opinion that others ha
to cause a person, group, or institution to lose the good opinion that others had of them because of something wrong or unacceptable that has happened
The mayor's secret deal dishonored the entire city council.
dishonor + institution / organization
By accepting bribes, the judge dishonored the legal profession itself.
Grace believed that selling the family farm would dishonor her grandfather's memory.
The restaurant dishonored its reputation when health inspectors found rats in the kitchen.
文法句型
dishonor + family/institution/name
dishonor + reputation/tradition
用法筆記
Often used with abstract nouns such as 'name', 'reputation', 'memory', 'tradition', or with groups like 'family', 'community', 'profession'.
常見錯誤
3. to refuse to pay a debt, cash a check, or carry out the terms of a financial agr
to refuse to pay a debt, cash a check, or carry out the terms of a financial agreement as promised
The bank dishonored Chen's check because his account did not have enough funds.
dishonor + check (banking context)
Priya was embarrassed when the bank dishonored her rent check due to a clerical error.
If a corporation dishonors its loan agreement, the lender can take the company to court.
The insurance company dishonored the claim, saying the policy did not cover flood damage.
- bounce
informal term specifically for checks; 'the check bounced'
- default on
used for loans and debts, not checks
- reject
more general; can apply to any refusal
文法句型
dishonor + check/agreement/loan
用法筆記
Primarily used in financial and legal contexts. The subject is typically a bank, financial institution, or company that has agreed to pay. A 'dishonored check' is commonly called a 'bounced check' in informal American English.