Shame vs. Disgrace — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 9, 2024
Shame is a personal feeling of guilt or humiliation, while disgrace is a loss of reputation or respect caused by dishonorable actions.
Difference Between Shame and Disgrace
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Shame is an internal emotion experienced when someone perceives they have failed to live up to their own standards or the expectations of others. Conversely, disgrace often refers to the public loss of status or respect due to dishonorable actions.
Shame is deeply personal and can occur without any external acknowledgment or awareness by others. In contrast, disgrace is typically recognized and reinforced by the society or community, making it a more public phenomenon.
The source of shame is usually an individual's moral or ethical judgment against themselves. Whereas, disgrace arises from societal judgment and the public exposure of one’s failures or wrongdoings.
People may feel shame without necessarily being in a state of disgrace; for instance, feeling ashamed of thoughts or desires that are never acted upon or revealed. On the other hand, one can be disgraced by actions known to others, regardless of their personal feelings about these actions.
Recovery from shame involves personal forgiveness and self-acceptance, focusing on internal healing. Recovery from disgrace, however, often requires regaining trust and respect from others, emphasizing external actions and perceptions.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Emotional and internal
Social and external
Trigger
Personal failures or ethical conflicts
Public exposure of dishonorable actions
Dependency
Independent of others’ awareness
Dependent on societal recognition
Impact Area
Self-perception and emotional well-being
Public reputation and social standing
Recovery Focus
Internal healing and self-forgiveness
Regaining public trust and respect
Compare with Definitions
Shame
Personal discomfort caused by falling short of one's own or societal standards.
He experienced shame for not meeting his parents' expectations.
Disgrace
The public aspect of losing honor and respect.
The athlete’s disgrace was documented widely in the media.
Shame
A feeling of guilt or humiliation due to perceived personal failures.
He felt shame after lying to his friends.
Disgrace
A state of being held in low regard by the public.
The politician’s corruption led to his disgrace.
Shame
Emotional distress reflecting a negative self-assessment.
Shame washed over her when she realized her mistake.
Disgrace
Social downfall resulting from unethical behavior.
She faced disgrace after her involvement in the fraud was revealed.
Shame
Reflects a conflict between one’s actions and moral values.
She felt shame about her angry reaction.
Disgrace
Relates to the external consequences of one’s actions.
His disgrace became apparent when he was shunned by his peers.
Shame
An internal sense of disgrace, not necessarily visible to others.
Despite her successes, she carried a sense of shame about her humble beginnings.
Disgrace
Loss of respect or reputation due to dishonorable actions.
His cheating scandal brought disgrace to his family.
Shame
Shame is an unpleasant self-conscious emotion typically associated with a negative evaluation of the self; withdrawal motivations; and feelings of distress, exposure, mistrust, powerlessness, and worthlessness.
Disgrace
Disgrace is a novel by J. M. Coetzee, published in 1999. It won the Booker Prize.
Shame
A painful emotion caused by the belief that one is, or is perceived by others to be, inferior or unworthy of affection or respect because of one's actions, thoughts, circumstances, or experiences
Felt shame for having dropped out of school.
Disgrace
Loss of honor, respect, or reputation; shame.
Shame
Respect for propriety or morality
Have you no shame?.
Disgrace
The condition of being strongly and generally disapproved.
Shame
A condition of disgrace or dishonor; ignominy
An act that brought shame on the whole family.
Disgrace
One that brings disfavor or discredit
Your handwriting is a disgrace.
Shame
A regrettable or unfortunate situation
"It was a shame how the place had fallen apart, with tall scorched grass and sagging gutters" (Tom Drury).
Disgrace
To bring shame or dishonor on
Disgraced the entire community.
Shame
One that brings dishonor, disgrace, or condemnation
"I would ... Forget the shames that you have stained me with" (Shakespeare).
Disgrace
To deprive of favor or good repute; treat with disfavor
The family was disgraced by the scandal.
Shame
To cause to feel shame
"expletives that would have shamed a stevedore" (Jeffrey Tayler).
Disgrace
The condition of being out of favor; loss of favor, regard, or respect.
Shame
To cause to feel ashamed to the point of doing something
I was shamed into making an apology.
Disgrace
The state of being dishonored, or covered with shame.
Now she lives in disgrace.
Shame
To bring dishonor or disgrace on
Behavior that shamed him in the eyes of the community.
Disgrace
(countable) Something which brings dishonor; the cause of reproach or shame; great discredit.
His behaviour at the party was a total disgrace! He was leeching on all the ladies, and insulting the men.
Shame
To disgrace by surpassing
Wanted revenge because a rival had shamed him in the previous race.
Disgrace
(obsolete) An act of unkindness; a disfavor.
Shame
Uncomfortable or painful feeling due to recognition or consciousness of one's own impropriety or dishonor, or something being exposed that should have been kept private.
When I realized that I had hurt my friend, I felt deep shame.
The teenager couldn’t bear the shame of introducing his parents.
Disgrace
(transitive) To put someone out of favor; to bring shame or ignominy upon.
Shame
Something to regret.
It was a shame not to see the show after driving all that way.
Disgrace
The condition of being out of favor; loss of favor, regard, or respect.
Macduff lives in disgrace.
Shame
Reproach incurred or suffered; dishonour; ignominy; derision.
Disgrace
The state of being dishonored, or covered with shame; dishonor; shame; ignominy.
To tumble down thy husband and thyselfFrom top of honor to disgrace's feet?
Shame
The cause or reason of shame; that which brings reproach and ignominy.
Disgrace
That which brings dishonor; cause of shame or reproach; great discredit; as, vice is a disgrace to a rational being.
Shame
That which is shameful and private, especially private parts.
Disgrace
An act of unkindness; a disfavor.
The interchange continually of favors and disgraces.
Shame
The capacity to be ashamed, inhibiting one from brazen behaviour; due regard for one's own moral conduct and how one is perceived by others; restraint, moderation, decency.
Don't you have any shame?
Disgrace
To put out of favor; to dismiss with dishonor.
Flatterers of the disgraced minister.
Pitt had been disgraced and the old Duke of Newcastle dismissed.
Shame
A cry of admonition for the subject of a speech, either to denounce the speaker or to agree with the speaker's denunciation of some person or matter; often used reduplicated, especially in political debates.
Disgrace
To do disfavor to; to bring reproach or shame upon; to dishonor; to treat or cover with ignominy; to lower in estimation.
Shall heap with honors him they now disgrace.
His ignorance disgraced him.
Shame
(South Africa) Expressing sympathy.
Shame, you poor thing, you must be cold!
Disgrace
To treat discourteously; to upbraid; to revile.
The goddess wroth gan foully her disgrace.
Shame
(transitive) To cause to feel shame.
I was shamed by the teacher's public disapproval.
Disgrace
A state of dishonor;
One mistake brought shame to all his family
Suffered the ignominy of being sent to prison
Shame
(transitive) To cover with reproach or ignominy; to denounce as having done something shameful; to dishonor; to disgrace.
Disgrace
Bring shame or dishonor upon;
He dishonored his family by committing a serious crime
Shame
(transitive) To drive or compel by shame.
The politician was shamed into resigning.
Disgrace
Reduce in worth or character, usually verbally;
She tends to put down younger women colleagues
His critics took him down after the lecture
Shame
To feel shame, be ashamed.
Disgrace
Damage the reputation of;
This newspaper story discredits the politicians
Shame
To mock at; to deride.
Shame
A painful sensation excited by a consciousness of guilt or impropriety, or of having done something which injures reputation, or of the exposure of that which nature or modesty prompts us to conceal.
HIde, for shame,Romans, your grandsires' images,That blush at their degenerate progeny.
Have you no modesty, no maiden shame?
Shame
Reproach incurred or suffered; dishonor; ignominy; derision; contempt.
Ye have borne the shame of the heathen.
Honor and shame from no condition rise.
And every woe a tear can claimExcept an erring sister's shame.
Shame
The cause or reason of shame; that which brings reproach, and degrades a person in the estimation of others; disgrace.
O C sar, what a wounding shame is this!
Guides who are the shame of religion.
Shame
The parts which modesty requires to be covered; the private parts.
Shame
To make ashamed; to excite in (a person) a comsciousness of guilt or impropriety, or of conduct derogatory to reputation; to put to shame.
Were there but one righteous in the world, he would . . . shame the world, and not the world him.
Shame
To cover with reproach or ignominy; to dishonor; to disgrace.
And with foul cowardice his carcass shame.
Shame
To mock at; to deride.
Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor.
Shame
To be ashamed; to feel shame.
I do shameTo think of what a noble strain you are.
Shame
A painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt
Shame
A state of dishonor;
One mistake brought shame to all his family
Suffered the ignominy of being sent to prison
Shame
An unfortunate development;
It's a pity he couldn't do it
Shame
Bring shame or dishonor upon;
He dishonored his family by committing a serious crime
Shame
Compel through a sense of shame;
She shamed him into making amends
Shame
Cause to be ashamed
Shame
Surpass or beat by a wide margin
Common Curiosities
Can shame turn into disgrace?
Yes, if personal feelings of shame become publicly known, they can lead to disgrace.
How can one recover from disgrace?
Recovery from disgrace often involves making amends, demonstrating changed behavior, and regaining public trust.
Is shame always negative?
While typically seen as negative, shame can also motivate positive changes in behavior.
What leads to disgrace?
Disgrace usually results from publically exposed actions that are widely deemed dishonorable or unacceptable.
What does shame feel like?
Shame is often characterized by feelings of guilt, humiliation, and low self-worth.
Does disgrace affect only individuals?
No, disgrace can also impact groups, such as families, teams, or entire organizations.
What is the difference between shame and embarrassment?
Shame is generally deeper and tied to moral failures, while embarrassment is more about social awkwardness or faux pas.
Are shame and guilt the same?
No, guilt is feeling bad about one’s actions, while shame is feeling bad about oneself.
Can disgrace be avoided?
Avoiding disgrace typically involves maintaining honorable behavior and adhering to societal norms and ethics.
How do cultures vary in their perception of shame and disgrace?
Cultural norms heavily influence the perception and impact of shame and disgrace, with some cultures emphasizing honor and reputation more than others.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
