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A2 verb #18,000 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

desonrar

Exemples desonrar en 30 secondes
Explication desonrar in your Level:
At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'desonrar' frequently, but it's helpful to recognize it as a word for 'bringing shame' or 'doing something very bad to someone's reputation.' Think of it as the opposite of 'honrar' (to honor). At this stage, just focus on the basic meaning: if you 'desonrar' your family, you make them feel very sad and ashamed. It is a verb that ends in -ar, so it follows the same pattern as 'falar' (to speak) or 'estudar' (to study). You might see it in simple stories where a character does something wrong. Don't worry about using it in complex sentences yet; just remember that 'des-' often means 'not' or 'undo,' so 'des-onrar' is to 'undo honor.' It's a heavy word, so use it only for very serious things, like lying to your parents or breaking a big promise.
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At the A2 level, you can start understanding 'desonrar' in common phrases like 'desonrar o nome' (to dishonor the name). You should be able to use it in the present tense (eu desonro, você desonra) and simple past (eu desonrei). You will notice it in more formal contexts, such as news reports about someone doing something unethical. It is important to distinguish it from 'envergonhar' (to shame/embarrass). While 'envergonhar' is for when you feel red in the face, 'desonrar' is for when you have damaged your social standing. At A2, you can use it to describe serious moral failures in simple narratives. For example: 'Ele não quer desonrar o pai dele.' (He doesn't want to dishonor his father). Focus on the transitive nature of the verb—it always needs an object (who or what is being dishonored).
By B1, you should understand the nuance of 'desonrar' in various social and professional contexts. You can use it to talk about values, ethics, and reputation. You should be comfortable using it in the subjunctive mood, which is common when expressing desires or fears: 'Tenho medo que ele desonre a nossa empresa' (I'm afraid he might dishonor our company). You'll also start seeing it in reflexive forms like 'desonrar-se,' meaning to lose one's own dignity. At this level, you can use the word to discuss more abstract concepts like 'desonrar um compromisso' (to dishonor a commitment/promise). You are expected to understand that this word carries a formal tone and is often used to express strong moral disapproval. You can also begin to identify related words in the word family, such as the noun 'desonra' (dishonor) and the adjective 'desonroso' (dishonorable).
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At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'desonrar' with precision in debates about social issues, history, or literature. You understand its metaphorical uses, such as 'desonrar o uniforme' (dishonoring the uniform) in a military context or 'desonrar a bandeira' (dishonoring the flag). You can use it in complex sentence structures, including the passive voice ('Ele foi desonrado por sua própria ganância') and with various prepositions. You should also be able to compare 'desonrar' with more specific synonyms like 'difamar' (to defame) or 'vilipendiar' (to vilify). At this stage, you recognize that 'desonrar' is often used as a rhetorical tool to emphasize the gravity of an ethical breach. You can write essays or give presentations where you discuss how certain actions can dishonor an institution's history or a person's legacy.
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At C1, you have a deep grasp of the historical and cultural connotations of 'desonrar.' You can use it in academic or professional writing to analyze complex moral dilemmas. You understand how the word relates to Lusophone concepts of honor and 'vergonha' (shame) in a sociological sense. You can use the verb in its most sophisticated forms, including the future subjunctive ('Se ele desonrar o cargo, será removido') and the personal infinitive. You are also aware of its use in legal contexts (injúria e difamação) and can discuss the nuances between 'desonrar a honra subjetiva' (personal self-esteem) and 'desonrar a honra objetiva' (reputation in the eyes of others). Your usage is natural, and you know exactly when to deploy this high-impact verb for maximum effect in formal speeches or literary analysis.
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At the C2 level, you use 'desonrar' with the mastery of a native speaker, understanding its finest nuances and literary resonances. You can interpret its use in classical Portuguese literature, from Camões to Eça de Queirós, and use it yourself to create specific stylistic effects. You understand the philosophical implications of 'desonrar' in the context of existentialism or ethics. You can effortlessly navigate between the verb and its most obscure synonyms, choosing the exact term needed for a specific register. You are also capable of using the word ironically or in complex metaphors that push the boundaries of standard usage. For a C2 learner, 'desonrar' is not just a vocabulary word; it's a versatile tool for exploring the depths of human morality, social contracts, and the weight of history in the Portuguese-speaking world.
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Exemples

desonrar en 30 secondes

  • Desonrar is a formal Portuguese verb meaning 'to dishonor' or 'to bring shame' to someone or something.
  • It is commonly used in contexts involving family reputation, professional integrity, national pride, and moral commitments.
  • Grammatically, it is a regular -ar verb and usually takes a direct object like 'nome', 'família', or 'memória'.
  • It carries more weight than 'envergonhar' (to embarrass), implying a deeper and more permanent loss of respect.

The Portuguese verb desonrar is a powerful, heavy-hitting word that translates directly to "to dishonor," "to disgrace," or "to bring shame upon." In the Lusophone world, honor (honra) has historically been a cornerstone of social standing, family reputation, and personal integrity. When you use desonrar, you aren't just talking about a simple mistake or a minor faux pas; you are describing an action that fundamentally damages the respect or prestige associated with an individual, a family, an institution, or even a nation.

Familial Context
In many traditional Portuguese-speaking cultures, the actions of one member reflect on the whole family. To desonrar a família (dishonor the family) might involve scandalous behavior, betrayal, or failing to live up to deeply held moral standards. It carries a weight of permanent reputational damage that is difficult to repair.
Professional and Institutional Integrity
In professional settings, desonrar o cargo (to dishonor the office) refers to corruption, unethical behavior, or negligence that tarnishes the dignity of a position. A judge who takes a bribe, for instance, desonra a justiça (dishonors justice).
Moral and Ethical Betrayal
On a personal level, desonrar a si mesmo (to dishonor oneself) implies acting against one's own principles or promises. It is the ultimate loss of face and self-respect.

Ele sentiu que suas ações poderiam desonrar o legado de seu pai, por isso desistiu do plano escuso.

Translation: He felt his actions could dishonor his father's legacy, so he gave up the shady plan.

Historically, the word is deeply rooted in chivalric codes and the concept of fidalguia (nobility). While modern usage is less about duels and more about ethics, the emotional resonance remains high. You will encounter it in literature, legal discussions, formal speeches, and intense dramatic dialogues in telenovelas. It is not a word used lightly in casual conversation; if someone says you are desonrando something, they are making a serious accusation of moral failure.

A traição de um amigo é a forma mais rápida de desonrar uma amizade de longa data.

Translation: Betraying a friend is the fastest way to dishonor a long-standing friendship.
Patriotism and National Pride
In nationalistic contexts, desonrar a pátria or desonrar a bandeira (to dishonor the homeland/flag) are phrases used to describe treasonous acts or behaviors that make the country look bad on the international stage.

O soldado foi acusado de desonrar o uniforme ao fugir da batalha.

Jamais permitiria que alguém tentasse desonrar meu bom nome sem lutar.

Using desonrar correctly involves understanding its grammatical transitivity. It is primarily a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object—the thing or person being dishonored. You don't just 'dishonor'; you dishonor *someone* or *something*. Below, we explore the various syntactic structures where this verb appears, providing a roadmap for natural-sounding Portuguese.

Verb + Direct Object (Person/Group)
When the object is a person, the verb implies a public or private shaming.
Example: Ele desonrou seus pais com aquele comportamento. (He dishonored his parents with that behavior.)
Verb + Abstract Noun (Legacy, Memory, Name)
This is perhaps the most common usage. Objects like o nome (the name), a memória (the memory), or o legado (the legacy) are frequent partners.
Example: Não desonre a memória de quem lutou por você. (Do not dishonor the memory of those who fought for you.)

O político foi criticado por desonrar o juramento que fez ao assumir o cargo.

Translation: The politician was criticized for dishonoring the oath he took upon taking office.

In terms of tense, desonrar is often used in the Pretérito Perfeito (Simple Past) to describe a completed action of disgrace, or in the Infinitivo Pessoal when following prepositions. For example, Para não desonrarmos nossa história, precisamos agir agora. (In order not to dishonor our history, we need to act now.)

Se você mentir, acabará por desonrar sua própria palavra.

Passive Voice Usage
The passive form ser desonrado is common in formal writing.
Example: O país foi desonrado por escândalos de corrupção. (The country was dishonored by corruption scandals.)

Ninguém quer ser aquele que vai desonrar uma tradição centenária.

Finally, consider the reflexive possibilities. Although less common than the transitive form, desonrar-se (to dishonor oneself) is used to emphasize personal accountability. Ao aceitar o suborno, ele desonrou-se permanentemente. (By accepting the bribe, he dishonored himself permanently.) Use this when the focus is on the loss of the subject's own integrity rather than the effect on others.

In everyday modern life, you might not hear desonrar while buying bread at the padaria, but it remains a staple in specific high-stakes environments. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the gravity of the word when it is deployed.

The World of News and Politics
Journalists and political commentators use desonrar when discussing breaches of public trust. Headlines might read: "Ministro desonra o cargo com declarações polêmicas" (Minister dishonors the office with controversial statements). It serves as a tool for moral condemnation in the public sphere.
Legal and Judicial Proceedings
In courtrooms, lawyers might argue that a defendant's actions intended to desonrar a vítima (dishonor the victim), particularly in cases of defamation (difamação) or injury to reputation (injúria). Here, the word has specific legal weight regarding moral damages.

O advogado afirmou que as mentiras publicadas visavam apenas desonrar a reputação do empresário.

Translation: The lawyer stated that the published lies were only intended to dishonor the businessman's reputation.

In the realm of arts and entertainment, desonrar is a favorite in telenovelas and historical dramas. Scripts often revolve around family secrets that threaten to desonrar o sobrenome. It provides the high emotional stakes necessary for compelling drama. If you watch a period piece set in 19th-century Brazil or Portugal, the word will appear frequently in discussions of marriage, inheritance, and social standing.

Na novela, a vilã tentou desonrar a protagonista espalhando boatos falsos pela cidade.

Sports and National Representation
When a national football team performs poorly or behaves unsportsmanlike, fans and critics might say they are desonrando a camisa (dishonoring the jersey). This highlights the deep emotional connection between sports and national identity.

A torcida ficou furiosa, gritando que os jogadores estavam a desonrar a história do clube.

Even though desonrar looks similar to English words like "dishonor," learners often stumble over its usage in Portuguese due to subtle differences in register and collocations. Here are the most frequent pitfalls to avoid.

Confusing 'Desonrar' with 'Desonesto'
Learners sometimes use desonrar when they simply mean someone is being dishonest. While related, desonesto is an adjective for lying, whereas desonrar is a verb for the *result* of a grave action. You don't 'desonrar' a fact; you 'desonrar' a person by lying about them.
Overusing it in Casual Situations
Using desonrar for minor mistakes sounds overly dramatic or even archaic. If you forget to buy milk, you haven't desonrado your wife. Use decepcionar (to disappoint) or falhar (to fail) for everyday errors.

Dizer que ele desonrou a empresa por chegar atrasado é um exagero linguístico.

Note: Saying he 'dishonored' the company by being late is a linguistic exaggeration.

Another mistake involves the confusion between the verb desonrar and the noun desonra. Remember: Isso é uma desonra (This is a disgrace) uses the noun, while Isso vai nos desonrar (This will dishonor us) uses the verb. Mixing these up is a common grammatical slip for beginners.

Cuidado para não desonrar o seu próprio nome ao se associar a pessoas de má índole.

Finally, watch out for regional variations in intensity. In some regions of Brazil, the word might feel slightly more 'theatrical' than in Portugal, where traditional notions of 'honra' can sometimes be invoked more sternly in formal social circles. Always match the gravity of the word to the gravity of the situation.

While desonrar is a powerful choice, Portuguese offers several synonyms and related terms that might fit your context more precisely. Choosing the right alternative depends on whether you want to emphasize shame, reputation damage, or moral filth.

Envergonhar (To Shame/Embarrass)
Envergonhar is much more common in daily life. It focuses on the feeling of shame rather than the permanent loss of honor.
Example: Você me envergonhou na frente dos meus amigos. (You embarrassed/shamed me in front of my friends.)
Manchar (To Stain)
This is a metaphorical synonym often used with 'reputação' or 'nome'. It implies that the honor is still there but has a 'spot' on it.
Example: Aquele escândalo manchou sua carreira. (That scandal stained his career.)
Difamar (To Defame)
Use difamar when the dishonor is caused by someone else spreading lies. It is an active attack on someone's honor.
Example: Eles tentaram difamar o diretor para conseguir o cargo. (They tried to defame the director to get the position.)

Em vez de desonrar, você poderia dizer que ele apenas 'desapontou' as expectativas.

Tip: Choose 'desapontar' (disappoint) for lower-stakes situations.

In very formal or literary contexts, you might see vilipendiar (to vilify/scorn) or aviltar (to debase/demean). These are 'level C2' words that imply a deep, disgusting degradation. Conversely, if you want to talk about the *opposite* of dishonoring, you have enaltecer (to praise/exalt) or dignificar (to dignify).

Suas ações servem para dignificar a profissão, não para a desonrar.

Ao mentir no tribunal, a testemunha acabou por desonrar toda a sua família.

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Exemples par niveau

1

Eu não quero desonrar minha mãe.

I don't want to dishonor my mother.

Direct object: minha mãe.

2

Ele desonrou o nome da família.

He dishonored the family name.

Pretérito Perfeito (Simple Past).

3

Você desonra o seu país?

Do you dishonor your country?

Present tense question.

4

Não vamos desonrar nossos amigos.

Let's not dishonor our friends.

Imperative-like structure with 'vamos'.

5

Ela nunca desonra uma promessa.

She never dishonors a promise.

Simple present for habitual action.

6

Mentir pode desonrar você.

Lying can dishonor you.

Infinitive after modal verb 'pode'.

7

Eles desonram a escola com brigas.

They dishonor the school with fights.

Present tense plural.

8

O herói não quer desonrar ninguém.

The hero doesn't want to dishonor anyone.

Negative structure.

1

O aluno desonrou a professora ao mentir.

The student dishonored the teacher by lying.

Using 'ao' + infinitive for 'by doing'.

2

Nós desonramos o acordo ontem.

We dishonored the agreement yesterday.

Past tense plural.

3

Ela sentiu que desonrou sua própria palavra.

She felt that she dishonored her own word.

Reported thought structure.

4

Por que você quer desonrar o legado dele?

Why do you want to dishonor his legacy?

Infinitive after 'quer'.

5

Eles desonraram a memória dos avós.

They dishonored the memory of their grandparents.

Third person plural past.

6

Se você roubar, vai desonrar sua família.

If you steal, you will dishonor your family.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

7

O juiz disse que o crime desonrou a cidade.

The judge said the crime dishonored the city.

Past tense within a quote.

8

Não desonre a confiança que te dei.

Don't dishonor the trust I gave you.

Negative imperative.

1

É triste quando um político desonra o seu cargo.

It is sad when a politician dishonors his office.

Present tense in a general statement.

2

Espero que ele não desonre a nossa tradição.

I hope he doesn't dishonor our tradition.

Present subjunctive after 'espero que'.

3

Ao aceitar o dinheiro, ele se desonrou.

By accepting the money, he dishonored himself.

Reflexive verb 'desonrar-se'.

4

Eles foram acusados de desonrar o uniforme militar.

They were accused of dishonoring the military uniform.

Passive voice 'foram acusados de'.

5

Se nós desonrarmos o contrato, teremos problemas.

If we dishonor the contract, we will have problems.

Future subjunctive 'desonrarmos'.

6

Ela nunca permitiria que alguém a desonrasse.

She would never allow someone to dishonor her.

Imperfect subjunctive 'desonrasse'.

7

Desonrar a história do clube é imperdoável.

Dishonoring the club's history is unforgivable.

Infinitive as a subject.

8

O escândalo desonrou a reputação da empresa.

The scandal dishonored the company's reputation.

Pretérito Perfeito.

1

A corrupção sistêmica desonra os fundamentos da democracia.

Systemic corruption dishonors the foundations of democracy.

Abstract direct object.

2

Ele agiu de forma a desonrar todos os seus antepassados.

He acted in a way as to dishonor all his ancestors.

Adverbial clause 'de forma a'.

3

Ninguém deve ser desonrado por crimes que não cometeu.

No one should be dishonored for crimes they didn't commit.

Passive voice with 'deve ser'.

4

A traição desonrou o pacto sagrado entre as nações.

The betrayal dishonored the sacred pact between the nations.

Formal register.

5

Caso ele desonre o acordo, a multa será pesada.

Should he dishonor the agreement, the fine will be heavy.

Future subjunctive after 'caso'.

6

Eles tentaram desonrar a imagem do autor com críticas injustas.

They tried to dishonor the author's image with unfair criticism.

Verb + direct object + prepositional phrase.

7

Não se pode desonrar a verdade em nome da conveniência.

One cannot dishonor the truth in the name of convenience.

Impersonal 'se' construction.

8

O comportamento dele desonra a dignidade humana.

His behavior dishonors human dignity.

High-level abstract object.

1

A negligência do Estado desonra o compromisso com os direitos humanos.

The State's negligence dishonors the commitment to human rights.

Formal political context.

2

Ao desonrar a memória das vítimas, o criminoso mostrou sua frieza.

By dishonoring the memory of the victims, the criminal showed his coldness.

Gerund-like 'ao' + infinitive.

3

É imperativo que não desonremos o legado de nossos predecessores.

It is imperative that we do not dishonor the legacy of our predecessors.

Present subjunctive plural.

4

O réu foi condenado por desonrar a honra objetiva da empresa.

The defendant was convicted for dishonoring the company's objective honor.

Legal terminology 'honra objetiva'.

5

Sua conduta desonrou a cátedra que ele ocupava na universidade.

His conduct dishonored the chair he held at the university.

Academic context.

6

Jamais permitiria que tal injúria viesse a desonrar meu bom nome.

I would never allow such an insult to come to dishonor my good name.

Conditional + compound infinitive structure.

7

A literatura muitas vezes explora o herói que prefere a morte a desonrar-se.

Literature often explores the hero who prefers death to dishonoring himself.

Complex literary structure.

8

Desonrar um juramento solene é o ápice da decadência moral.

Dishonoring a solemn oath is the pinnacle of moral decay.

Abstract subject with 'é'.

1

O vilipêndio aos símbolos nacionais visa desonrar a própria soberania do povo.

The vilification of national symbols aims to dishonor the very sovereignty of the people.

Use of 'vilipêndio' and 'soberania'.

2

Não obstante a pressão, ele recusou-se a desonrar os princípios que o norteavam.

Notwithstanding the pressure, he refused to dishonor the principles that guided him.

Use of 'não obstante' and relative clauses.

3

A historiografia debate se tais atos desonraram a coroa de forma irremediável.

Historiography debates whether such acts dishonored the crown irremediably.

Academic/Historical register.

4

Ao desonrar a confiança pública, a instituição cavou sua própria sepultura.

By dishonoring public trust, the institution dug its own grave.

Metaphorical usage.

5

Submeter-se a tal exigência seria desonrar a essência da liberdade individual.

Submitting to such a demand would be to dishonor the essence of individual freedom.

Conditional mood with complex subject.

6

O autor utiliza a metáfora da mancha para ilustrar como o pecado pode desonrar a alma.

The author uses the metaphor of the stain to illustrate how sin can dishonor the soul.

Literary analysis register.

7

Pretender desonrar a ciência com dogmas infundados é um retrocesso civilizacional.

To intend to dishonor science with unfounded dogmas is a civilizational regression.

Complex philosophical statement.

8

A trama se adensa quando o protagonista percebe que, para salvar a cidade, terá de se desonrar.

The plot thickens when the protagonist realizes that, to save the city, he will have to dishonor himself.

Narrative complexity.

Collocations courantes

Desonrar o nome
Desonrar a memória
Desonrar o cargo
Desonrar a farda
Desonrar o compromisso
Desonrar a pátria
Desonrar a promessa
Desonrar a confiança
Desonrar a bandeira
Desonrar o sobrenome

Phrases Courantes

Prefiro morrer a desonrar-me

— A dramatic expression of high integrity. It means one values honor over life.

O cavaleiro disse: 'Prefiro morrer a desonrar-me'.

Desonrar a palavra dada

— To break a promise or a verbal agreement. It highlights the importance of one's word.

Um homem de bem nunca desonra a palavra dada.

Desonrar o teto que o abriga

— To act disrespectfully in the house where you are being hosted. A serious social breach.

Ele foi ingrato e desonrou o teto que o abrigava.

Desonrar a memória dos mortos

— To act in a way that insults or shames those who have passed away. Often used in funerals or eulogies.

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