dishonour
/dɪsˈɒnə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪsˈɑːnər/ (ame, ipa) · /dɪˈsɒn.ər/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈsɑː.nɚ/ (ame, ipa)
dishonour — noun
1. the state of being covered in shame after bad behaviour, so that other people no
the state of being covered in shame after bad behaviour, so that other people no longer admire or trust you
The bribery case brought lasting dishonour on the local council.
bring dishonour on [group]
The family lived in dishonour for years after the fraud case.
live in dishonour
For Takeshi, lying to the team captain would bring dishonour.
The newspaper said the failed cover-up had ended in dishonour.
文法句型
bring dishonour on/upon + noun
live in dishonour
end in dishonour
用法筆記
Often appears after verbs such as 'bring', 'live in', and 'end in'. Unlike the verb senses, this noun names the resulting state of shame rather than the act that causes it.
常見錯誤
dishonour — verb
- dishonourpresent simple I / you / we / they
- dishonours3rd person singular
- dishonouring-ing form
- dishonouredpast simple
1. to stain the good name of a person, group, or cause so that others respect it le
to stain the good name of a person, group, or cause so that others respect it less
The officer feared that taking bribes would dishonour the regiment.
dishonour + institution
False reports about the hospital dishonoured years of careful work.
Lakshmi said the cruel joke dishonoured her grandmother's memory.
Dumping waste in the river would dishonour the town's festival.
文法句型
dishonour + person/group/name
dishonour + memory
dishonour + institution
用法筆記
The object is often a person, family, name, office, or shared symbol rather than a private feeling. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about failing to keep a promise or agreement.
常見錯誤
2. to fail to keep a promise, agreement, or duty that you had accepted
to fail to keep a promise, agreement, or duty that you had accepted
The company dishonoured its agreement and cut the workers' pay.
dishonour + agreement
By leaving early, Christopher dishonoured the promise he made to his coach.
dishonour + promise
The landlord dishonoured the written deal after the deposit arrived.
Breaking the ceasefire would dishonour the pledge both villages signed.
- break
the most neutral and common choice for promises or agreements
- betray
stronger; suggests a deeper moral failure against trust
- go back on
more informal; common in spoken English
文法句型
dishonour + promise
dishonour + agreement
dishonour + pledge
用法筆記
This sense is usually used with words such as 'promise', 'agreement', 'pledge', or 'obligation'. Distinguish from sense 1, where the focus is on damaging reputation rather than failing to do what was promised.