Definition

Noun: A formal dismissal from military service imposed as a punishment for a serious offense, such as cowardice, espionage, murder, or sabotage. It is the most severe type of military discharge and carries significant negative consequences for the recipient's veteran status and civilian life.

Usage

A "dishonorable discharge" is a punitive administrative action, not a judicial one like a court-martial conviction, though it often follows one. It is used in the context of the United States Armed Forces. - It is typically preceded by the indefinite article "a" (e.g., He received a dishonorable discharge). - It can be used as a subject or object in a sentence.

Examples

• The soldier faced a dishonorable discharge after being convicted of desertion under fire.
• A dishonorable discharge will permanently bar you from most veteran benefits.
• The court-martial recommended a dishonorable discharge for the officer involved in the conspiracy.

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier: The term can function adjectivally before a noun (e.g., , ).
• Contextual Implication: Receiving a dishonorable discharge often implies a profound breach of military law and ethics. It is a lasting mark on one's record.

Variants and Related Words

• Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD) (noun): A punitive discharge for misconduct, less severe than a dishonorable discharge but more severe than an administrative discharge.
• Administrative Discharge (noun): A separation from service for reasons such as failure to meet standards, not as a punishment for misconduct (e.g., honorable discharge, general discharge).
• Dishonorably Discharged (adjective phrase): The state of having received a dishonorable discharge (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Military dismissal (general term)
• Punitive separation (formal term)

Related Phrases

• To be discharged dishonorably: The verbal phrase describing the action.
  • He was discharged dishonorably after the trial.
• To receive a dishonorable discharge: The common collocation for the outcome.
  • The verdict meant he would receive a dishonorable discharge.

Noun

1. a discharge from the armed forces for a grave offense (as sabotage or espionage or cowardice or murder)