disgraced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disgraced" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who has lost respect or honor due to their actions. Example: "After the scandal, the politician was left disgraced and without support." Alternative expressions include "shamed" and "humiliated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even Smith paid tribute to the "strength" of Gibson – disgraced in Labour's eyes but currently the most popular man in Norwich.

The Guardian

McKay's worries deepened when a member of Roozendaal's staff who shared her concerns over the container terminal was replaced by Ian Macnamara, a former employee of Tripodi and disgraced Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid.

The Guardian

The closing chapters of the book, in which Hurstwood is ruined and then disgraced, are among the most powerful pages in a novel of merciless momentum, whose unsentimental depiction of big-city life sets it apart.

The Guardian - Books

Burnley have rarely been disgraced at any time this season.

The Guardian - Sport

He said: "It distresses me to see the headlines Disgraced Surgeon used Children as Guinea Pigs" and added that he was "deeply upset by the death of any patients".

The Guardian

Gordon distils the remarkable and at times unbelievable events of the last few months that have seen Iris Robinson, the first minister's wife, disgraced over her affair with her young lover and the loan she secured for him and Mr Robinson publicly humiliated over the betrayal and the ongoing allegations concerning the couple and their relationship with a number of multimillionaire builders.

The Guardian

Blatter has been at Fifa for 40 years, since his now disgraced predecessor João Havelange personally plucked him from watchmaker Longines to lead the commercialisation of the World Cup that has seen revenues rise in direct correlation with endless claims of bribery and kickbacks.

The Guardian - Sport

The irksome point about that worthy sentiment, however, is that it was delivered in 2011 by Jenkins' predecessor, the subsequently disgraced Bob Diamond, when he was allowed the microphone for the inaugural BBC Today programme business lecture.

The Guardian - Business

Pragmatic Republicans believe that the last time their party played chicken with the budget, it disgraced itself in the eyes not just of economists but also of voters.

The Economist

Dr Pons and Dr Fleischmann were disgraced, and now labour in obscurity.This week's Science includes a paper that makes similar, albeit more guarded, claims.

The Economist

That may be because three of the five gold medallists in Cuba's 2004 Olympic team have since defected; a fourth languishes in Havana, disgraced for trying to do the same.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve this term for situations involving a significant fall from grace or a moral failing that has been publicly exposed.

Common error

Do not use "disgraced" to describe an action; use "disgraceful" instead. "Disgraced" describes the person who has lost their honor (the state of being), while "disgraceful" describes the conduct itself that caused the fall.

Linguistic Context

The word "disgraced" primarily functions as an adjective derived from the past participle of the verb 'disgrace'. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it frequently modifies nouns like 'politician', 'doctor', or 'executive' to indicate that the person has lost their public standing or credibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disgraced" is a powerful adjective used to describe individuals or entities that have suffered a total loss of honor or reputation. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is grammatically correct and exceptionally common in professional journalism. It is most frequently applied to public figures—such as politicians, athletes, and CEOs—following the exposure of misconduct. Unlike synonyms like "humiliated", which may focus on the feelings of the subject, "disgraced" focuses on the objective social and professional standing of the person. When using this term, ensure that the context supports a significant and lasting fall from grace.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shamed

Focuses more on the emotional state or public feeling of embarrassment

dishonored

Carries a more traditional or formal weight, often used in military or familial contexts

discredited

Specifically implies that their authority or the truth of their words is no longer accepted

humiliated

Emphasizes the painful loss of pride or the public nature of the fall

tainted

Suggests that their reputation is contaminated, even if they remain in power

fallen

A more metaphorical way to describe a loss of high status

ostracized

Focuses on the social exclusion that follows the loss of honor

degraded

Implies a lowering in rank, status or moral character

besmirched

A more literary term focusing on the damage done to a name or reputation

ousted

Focuses on the physical removal from a position rather than just the loss of honor

FAQs

How do I use "disgraced" in a sentence?

You can use "disgraced" to describe someone who has lost respect due to a scandal, such as "The "disgraced official" resigned immediately after the news broke."

What is the difference between "disgraced" and "shamed"?

While both imply a loss of reputation, "disgraced" usually suggests a permanent or official loss of status, whereas "shamed" can refer to a temporary emotional state or a specific public event.

Can I use "disgraced" to describe a non-human entity?

Yes, it is common in financial or political reporting to describe organizations, as seen in Ludwig examples referring to a "disgraced auditor" or a "disgraced bank."

Is "disgraced" a formal word?

Yes, it is a neutral to formal term. For a more informal context, you might say someone was "canceled" or "dumped", though these carry different nuances.