disgraced

Disgraced is an adjective that describes someone whose reputation has been damaged by misconduct, scandal, or public shaming. It conveys a loss of trust, respect, or standing in a social, professional, or political context and is commonly used in journalism and biographies to denote reputational harm.

The term can apply to politicians, business leaders, athletes, or other public figures, as well as to fictional characters. It does not necessarily imply criminal punishment; rather, it denotes perceived or established damage to honor or credibility, which may follow investigations, allegations, or widely reported misconduct. In some cases, the status is temporary as individuals seek to restore trust.

Etymology and usage: disgraced is the past participle of the verb disgrace. Its core idea is deprivation of grace, favor, or honor, extended metaphorically to include social standing.

Related terms include dishonored, shamed, stigmatized, and scandalized. The word is typically used in a passive construction (someone is disgraced) and contrasts with terms that indicate exoneration or vindication.

See also: dishonor, reputational damage, public shaming.