Disgraced

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Finding oneself in a position of social rejection due to questionable actions that evoke disapproval or contempt from others
2. Having fallen from a state of respect because of actions that cause others to view one with dishonor
3. Experiencing a loss of esteem and facing social rejection resulting from behavior deemed inappropriate or unethical

Etymology: "Disgraced" is the past participle of "disgrace", and the verb traces back to the Middle French "disgracier", formed from "dis-" (a prefix expressing reversal or removal) and "grace" in its sense of favour or good standing. To disgrace someone was to take away their favour, so the sense of losing standing with a ruler or patron came first, and the modern idea of shame followed from it. The English verb largely displaced an older native word, "shand", which meant something close to shame or disgrace and has since dropped out of everyday use. The adjective "disgraced" is therefore a relatively recent arrival in the vocabulary of social disapproval, reflecting the same loss of favour that the French root described.

Synonyms: humiliated, shamed, dishonored, discredited, scorned

Antonyms: honored, respected, esteemed, celebrated, revered