| / English Dictionary |
DISGRACEFUL
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
(used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
Example:
a shameful display of cowardice
Synonyms:
black; disgraceful; ignominious; inglorious; opprobrious; shameful
Classified under:
Similar:
dishonorable; dishonourable (lacking honor or integrity; deserving dishonor)
Derivation:
disgracefulness (unworthiness meriting public disgrace and dishonor)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Giving offense to moral sensibilities and injurious to reputation
Example:
the most shocking book of its time
Synonyms:
disgraceful; scandalous; shameful; shocking
Classified under:
Similar:
immoral (deliberately violating accepted principles of right and wrong)
Context examples:
'After mentioning the likelihood of this marriage to her ladyship last night, she immediately, with her usual condescension, expressed what she felt on the occasion; when it became apparent, that on the score of some family objections on the part of my cousin, she would never give her consent to what she termed so disgraceful a match. I thought it my duty to give the speediest intelligence of this to my cousin, that she and her noble admirer may be aware of what they are about, and not run hastily into a marriage which has not been properly sanctioned.'
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
But Marianne abhorred all concealment where no real disgrace could attend unreserve; and to aim at the restraint of sentiments which were not in themselves illaudable, appeared to her not merely an unnecessary effort, but a disgraceful subjection of reason to common-place and mistaken notions.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
Disgraceful, sir!
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
A series of disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger.
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
My dearest Lizzy, do but consider in what a disgraceful light it places Mr. Darcy, to be treating his father's favourite in such a manner, one whom his father had promised to provide for.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
His first object with her, he acknowledged, had been to persuade her to quit her present disgraceful situation, and return to her friends as soon as they could be prevailed on to receive her, offering his assistance, as far as it would go.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
The introduction, however, was immediately made; and as she named their relationship to herself, she stole a sly look at him, to see how he bore it, and was not without the expectation of his decamping as fast as he could from such disgraceful companions.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
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