disreputable behaviour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disreputable behaviour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or conduct that is considered dishonorable or lacking in good reputation. Example: "The politician's disreputable behaviour during the campaign led to a significant loss of public trust."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The testimony heard by MPs laid bare the disreputable behaviour of Cambridge Analytica, and its sister company, SCL.

The Guardian

Boswell is tricky to love, because he could be a bumptious ass and often skidded into disreputable behaviour, but he did have charm and intelligence – Doctor Johnson didn't suffer fools gladly, and he came near to loving him as a son; and his sensible cousin Margaret, who knew him well, fell in love with him.

The Guardian - Opinion

But as everyone else involved in the Hutton business, myself included, has been able to resume their old lives, Campbell has not worked for four years and is still defined in the public eye by his, shall we say, "disreputable" behaviour in the run-up to Iraq.

The Guardian - Opinion

A perception of so-called "sleazy" establishments is that they are merely centres for disreputable behaviour and nothing else.

Vice

These included fear of a perceived risk of infection perceived links between TB and other causes of discrimination, particularly poverty and low caste perceived links between TB and disreputable behaviour, particularly drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco and visiting sex-workers perceptions that TB was a divine curse sent down to punish former unacceptable behaviour.

BMC Public Health

Causes of discrimination by members of the general public included: fear of a perceived risk of infection; perceived links between TB and other causes of discrimination, particularly poverty and low caste; perceived links between TB and disreputable behaviour; and perceptions that TB was a divine punishment.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He also said he was not challenging the fact they found his sexual behaviour "disreputable, discourteous, disturbing or even pushing towards the boundaries of what they were comfortable with".

BBC

From the 17th century onwards, however, it began to mean "a disreputable woman of improper behaviour".

The Guardian - Opinion

They live in faraway places, come from obscure cultures, speak incomprehensible languages, have disreputable comorbid disease, or exhibit antisocial behavior.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Whenever she met his disreputable male friends, they were instructed to be on their best behaviour.

The Guardian - Books

Are those entirely disreputable?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disreputable behaviour" when the primary consequence of the actions is a loss of respect or credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "disreputable behaviour" to describe actions that are simply incorrect or mistaken. The term should be reserved for actions that specifically damage someone's standing or reputation. For example, it would be more appropriate to use "incorrect behavior" instead of "disreputable behaviour" when refering to math calculation errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disreputable behaviour" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "disreputable" modifies the noun "behaviour". It describes a specific type of conduct characterized by a lack of integrity or honor. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correct usage, aligning with its established meaning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disreputable behaviour" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes conduct damaging to one's reputation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's used in formal contexts, primarily in News & Media and Science, to express disapproval or condemnation. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the actions genuinely impact someone's standing, and that more neutral phrases like "unacceptable conduct" or "dishonorable actions" aren't more fitting. While not as common as other similar phrases, "disreputable behaviour" serves as a powerful way to denounce conduct which damages one's reputation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unacceptable conduct

Focuses on the unacceptability of the actions, highlighting a breach of expected norms.

dishonorable actions

Emphasizes the lack of honor or integrity in the behavior.

shameful actions

Highlights the disgrace and embarrassment associated with the behavior.

reprehensible conduct

Suggests the behavior is deserving of strong condemnation and disapproval.

improper behavior

Indicates that the behavior is not in accordance with accepted standards or rules.

unethical behavior

Focuses on the moral principles that the behavior violates.

scandalous conduct

Emphasizes the public outrage and shock caused by the behavior.

inappropriate actions

Highlights that the behavior is unsuitable for the given context or situation.

unprofessional conduct

Suggests the behavior is unbecoming of someone in a professional setting.

deplorable actions

Indicates the behavior is deeply regrettable and deserving of strong disapproval.

FAQs

How can I use "disreputable behaviour" in a sentence?

You can use "disreputable behaviour" to describe actions that damage someone's reputation or standing, such as "The politician's disreputable behaviour led to his downfall."

What's a good alternative to "disreputable behaviour"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "unacceptable conduct", "dishonorable actions", or "shameful actions".

Is "disreputable behavior" the same as "unethical behavior"?

While there's overlap, "unethical behavior" specifically implies a violation of moral principles. "Disreputable behaviour" focuses more on the damage to one's reputation, although unethical acts can certainly be disreputable.

Can "disreputable behaviour" apply to organizations as well as individuals?

Yes, "disreputable behaviour" can apply to both. For example, you could say "The company engaged in disreputable behaviour by misleading its investors."