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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ignoble differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ignoble are abject, mean, and sordid. While all these words mean "being below the normal standards of human decency and dignity," ignoble suggests a loss or lack of some essential high quality of mind or spirit.

an ignoble scramble after material possessions

When would abject be a good substitute for ignoble?

In some situations, the words abject and ignoble are roughly equivalent. However, abject may imply degradation, debasement, or servility.

abject poverty

When could mean be used to replace ignoble?

The words mean and ignoble are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mean suggests small-mindedness, ill temper, or cupidity.

mean and petty satire

When can sordid be used instead of ignoble?

The meanings of sordid and ignoble largely overlap; however, sordid is stronger than all of these in stressing physical or spiritual degradation and abjectness.

a sordid story of murder and revenge

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ignoble Yet the upsides certainly outweigh the risk of an ignoble exit. Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2024 That admission resulted in Milli Vanilli getting dumped from Arista and having the ignoble asterisk as the only act in Grammy history to have their award taken back. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 Jan. 2024 The statues imply nobility in one of history’s most ignoble causes. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2024 Others might be concerned about certain obsessive or ignoble achievements in games standing out in their timeline. Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 8 Nov. 2023 See all Example Sentences for ignoble 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignoble
Adjective
  • Detroit currently has a low chance for snow this Christmas, the NWS office in White Lake said.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 20 Dec. 2024
  • It is situated on the lower level outside of Macy’s and is a permanent location.
    Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • But perhaps the better question is, how did a qualified, competent, upstanding candidate like Vice President Kamala Harris lose to such a vile person as Donald Trump?
    S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2024
  • There's been a whole bunch of what-about-ism on social media feeds since a comedian made vile, disgusting and racist comments about Latinos, and Puerto Rico in particular, at a Donald Trump rally.
    David Plazas, The Tennessean, 29 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • The other was the much more plebeian Chevrolet Bolt, which was cheaper but nowhere near as luxurious, nor as enjoyable to drive.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 30 Aug. 2024
  • Once upon a time, a doddering old man spoke of a dream about a united city in this empire’s capital, where every man, woman, and child could walk its streets and live a good life regardless of their patrician or plebeian birthright.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • From savory breads and rolls for sandwiches and soup-sopping to decadent sweet loaves and rolls for breakfast or dessert, the easy recipes give you a break while your mixer does the dirty work.
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2024
  • The Romans liked to give the appearance of civilized rule by getting local thugs to do their dirty work.
    N.T. Wright, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Sen. Mitch McConnell, a Republican representing Kentucky and the party's longtime Senate leader, reflected on Carter's humble origins as a peanut farmer and member of the U.S. military before becoming president.
    Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 30 Dec. 2024
  • The Palace of Versailles, known as château de Versailles in French, is a paragon of Baroque architecture that once served as a royal residence and the de facto capital of France—but its beginnings are far more humble.
    Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • At its simplest, while tracking cookies are a nasty underpin to the internet, they can be seen and controlled, whether by those website popups or electing to use some form of private browsing that blocks such cookies altogether.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
  • But the only bacteria raw or pasteurized milk contain are the nasty kind—salmonella, campylobacter and the like, according to the FDA.
    Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Deadpool & Wolverine was far more graphic and vulgar than previous Marvel Studios projects — but one of its especially dirty lines didn't make the cut.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 30 Nov. 2024
  • With Election Day on the horizon, Elon Musk is leaning into violent and vulgar rhetoric.
    Bruna Horvath, NBC News, 29 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Our state and local leaders are the last defense against unconstitutional and immoral federal policies.
    Murad Awawdeh, New York Daily News, 16 Dec. 2024
  • This is perhaps the most immoral aspect of watching members of Congress downplay the impact of melting polar caps or having presidential debates in which the topic of global warming is handled like an afterthought.
    LZ Granderson, The Mercury News, 2 Oct. 2024

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Thesaurus Entries Near ignoble

Cite this Entry

“Ignoble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignoble. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.

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