disgraceful

USAGE SUMMARY

"disgraceful" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when expressing an opinion about something that is considered disgraceful or shameful. For example: "It was disgraceful that the company refused to donate even a small amount to the charity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Labour's campaign spokesman, Fraser Kemp, told Guardian Unlimited: "It is disgraceful that the Liberal Democrats are actively seeking money from foreigners to fund their election campaign".

The Guardian

"A disgraceful mistake as is the deafening silence from Labour," she wrote.

The Guardian

I count myself among their number, but feel I'm not alone in my dismay in witnessing the disgraceful behaviour of the current officials of the remnants of this great union in their efforts to humiliate Arthur Scargill.

The Guardian

The victims' commissioner, Lady Newlove, whose husband, Garry, was killed by a gang vandalising his car, said: "I'm appalled by this disgraceful act of violence – my thoughts go out to the victim's family and friends at this time.

The Guardian

Coltart too might not have tamed the Tiger under any circumstances, but with a huge crowd lining the 9th fairway it is disgraceful that he was allowed to spend five minutes on a fruitless search deep in the woods for his ball when all the while it was nestling in the semi-rough only a few feet from the fairway.

The Guardian - Sport

The fact that it is used, even indirectly, to stir up fear of Muslims is utterly disgraceful.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is therefore disgraceful to subject them to unacceptable levels of service when they try to contact the department by phone or letter".

The Guardian

"The union is shocked at the Independent's approach and the disgraceful way management has treated staff and contributors.

The Guardian

Sugar's handling of Katie in her final interview was disgraceful.

The Guardian

Her point was that the huge debts Ireland already has run up (in part caused by the disgraceful, avaricious behaviour of the banks, including two that operate in Northern Ireland) are not sustainable.

The Guardian

The SDLP councillor John Boyle described the latest incident as disgraceful, saying: "This latest incident in Derry was a source of real distress for the bus driver, passengers and people whose homes were evacuated on what was one of the coldest and blustery nights of the winter.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disgraceful" to express strong moral disapproval or condemnation of actions, behaviors, or situations that are deeply offensive or unacceptable. Ensure the context clearly warrants such a strong term.

Common error

Avoid using "disgraceful" in situations that are merely disappointing or inconvenient. Reserve it for truly egregious offenses to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "disgraceful" functions as an evaluative descriptor, expressing a strong negative judgment or condemnation of a person, action, or situation. As shown by Ludwig, it frequently conveys moral outrage or profound disapproval.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disgraceful" functions as an adjective to express strong disapproval and condemnation, most commonly found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability, cautioning against overuse in mild situations. Semantically similar alternatives include "shameful", "outrageous", and "reprehensible", each carrying slightly different nuances. When writing, reserve "disgraceful" for situations that genuinely warrant strong moral condemnation to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shameful

Shares the core meaning of causing shame or dishonor but can sometimes imply a lesser degree of severity.

outrageous

Emphasizes the shocking and unacceptable nature of the behavior or situation, highlighting its defiance of norms.

scandalous

Highlights the aspect of public outrage and damage to reputation, often involving a breach of morality or propriety.

reprehensible

Focuses on the blameworthy and deserving of condemnation nature of the action, suggesting a violation of ethical principles.

deplorable

Stresses the wretched and lamentable quality of the situation, expressing strong disapproval and sorrow.

atrocious

Emphasizes the shockingly bad and appalling quality of something, indicating extreme deficiency or cruelty.

contemptible

Highlights the worthlessness and deserving of scorn nature of the behavior, indicating a lack of respect or moral value.

inexcusable

Focuses on the lack of justification or reason for the action, emphasizing its unpardonable nature.

unacceptable

Indicates that something does not meet the required standards or expectations, and therefore cannot be tolerated.

offensive

Highlights the causing of displeasure or resentment, indicating a violation of social or ethical norms.

FAQs

How can I use "disgraceful" in a sentence?

You can use "disgraceful" to describe actions or behaviors that are deeply offensive or morally wrong. For example, "It is "disgraceful that" the company exploited its workers".

What are some alternatives to "disgraceful"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "shameful", "outrageous", or "reprehensible" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use the word "disgraceful"?

Use "disgraceful" when you want to express strong disapproval of something that violates moral or ethical standards. Ensure the situation genuinely warrants such a strong term.

Is "disgraceful" a formal or informal word?

"Disgraceful" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it carries a strong negative connotation and should be used judiciously, particularly in formal writing where nuanced language is valued.