Dishonorable means lacking honor, integrity, or moral character. When someone acts in a dishonorable way, they break promises, betray trust, or do things they know are wrong, especially when those actions hurt others or violate important principles.

A dishonorable act might involve lying to avoid consequences, betraying a friend's confidence, or taking credit for someone else's work. In military contexts, a dishonorable discharge is the most serious punishment, given to service members who commit serious crimes or severely violate their duty. It can follow them for life, affecting future jobs and opportunities.

What makes something dishonorable is that it violates principles the person knows they should uphold. You might forget to return a borrowed book (a mistake), but claiming you never borrowed it in the first place would be dishonorable because it's a deliberate betrayal of trust. The opposite quality is honorable, describing someone who keeps their word, treats others fairly, and does the right thing even when it's difficult.