dishonorable

dishonorable — adjective

  • dishonorablepositive
  • more dishonorablecomparative
  • most dishonorablesuperlative

1. describing behavior that is dishonest, unfair, or causes others to lose respect

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describing behavior that is dishonest, unfair, or causes others to lose respect for you — for example, lying to a customer or taking credit for a colleague's work.

例句

The politician's dishonorable behavior, including accepting secret payments, was exposed by the local newspaper.

collocation: dishonorable behavior

Iker thought it was dishonorable to claim credit for a report his teammate had actually written.

pattern: be + dishonorable + to-infinitive

同義詞
  • shameful

    stronger emotional tone, focuses on the embarrassment caused

  • disgraceful

    emphasizes loss of public reputation

  • unethical

    narrower; used in professional or academic contexts for rule-breaking

反義詞
  • honorable

    direct opposite, means deserving respect and praise

  • respectable

    focuses on being held in high regard by others

文法句型

be + dishonorable

dishonorable + noun

用法筆記

Often pairs with nouns describing actions or character (behavior, conduct, discharge). It is less common to describe a person directly with this word — 'dishonorable behavior' sounds more natural than 'a dishonorable person.'

常見錯誤

❌He was dishonest for leaving without saying goodbye.
✅He acted dishonorably by leaving without saying goodbye.
💡'Dishonest' is about lying or cheating; 'dishonorable' is broader, covering actions that break codes of honor or respect.

2. (of a check or other financial document) returned unpaid by a bank because the a

2.形容詞C1
釋義

(of a check or other financial document) returned unpaid by a bank because the account lacks funds or the document is invalid. The past participle 'dishonored' is the standard modern term in banking English; the adjective 'dishonorable' in this sense is rare and considered archaic or literary.

例句

The bank returned the check marked 'dishonored' because the account had insufficient funds.

collocation: dishonored check

Ziad's landlord charged a penalty after the bank dishonored his rent check.

pattern: bank dishonored [financial instrument]

同義詞
  • unpaid

    simpler, everyday term for a check not processed

  • bounced

    informal term specifically for a check returned due to insufficient funds

反義詞
  • honored

    direct opposite — a check the bank agrees to pay

  • paid

    general term for a processed transaction

文法句型

be marked dishonored

bank dishonored [financial instrument]

passive: was dishonored

用法筆記

In modern financial contexts, always use the past participle 'dishonored' (e.g., 'a dishonored check,' 'the check was dishonored') rather than the adjective 'dishonorable.' The form 'dishonorable' for bank documents is essentially restricted to historical or literary writing where an archaic tone is intended. Learners should treat 'dishonored' as the standard term and 'dishonorable' in this sense as a word to recognize passively rather than actively use.

常見錯誤

❌The bank said my check was dishonorable.
✅The bank dishonored my check' or 'The check was marked dishonored.
💡In modern banking English, use the past participle 'dishonored' (or the verb 'dishonor'), not the adjective 'dishonorable.' The adjective form for this meaning exists in old legal and literary texts but is essentially never used in modern financial writing.