Dishonored

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /dɪsˈɒnəd/

Definitions

1. To have one's integrity compromised or to be publicly shamed due to misconduct or betrayal
2. To suffer a tarnishing of reputation and respect following actions deemed unethical or treacherous
3. To experience a loss of honor or esteem as a result of actions that are considered deceitful or morally reprehensible

Etymology: "Dishonored" is the past tense and past participle of "dishonor," so it describes someone or something that has lost honor. The verb came into English from Old French "deshonor," which combined the negative prefix "dis-" with "honor," meaning esteem or good reputation. The prefix does the work of reversing the noun: where "honor" names the respect a person earns, "dishonor" names its loss. The root "honor" traveled from Latin "honor" and "honos," which carried the sense of public esteem, office, or reward for merit. English has long used the two spellings "honour" and "honor," and the American form simply dropped the British "u" in the same way many other words did. The verb, by contrast, built on the idea of stripping that esteem away, so a dishonored person is one whose standing has been publicly diminished.

Synonyms: disgraced, shamed, humiliated, tainted, blemished

Antonyms: honored, respected, esteemed, venerated, celebrated