Synonym Chooser

How does the noun ignominy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ignominy are disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, and infamy. While all these words mean "the state or condition of suffering loss of esteem and of enduring reproach," ignominy stresses humiliation.

the ignominy of being arrested

When can disgrace be used instead of ignominy?

The synonyms disgrace and ignominy are sometimes interchangeable, but disgrace often implies humiliation and sometimes ostracism.

sent home in disgrace

In what contexts can dishonor take the place of ignominy?

In some situations, the words dishonor and ignominy are roughly equivalent. However, dishonor emphasizes the loss of honor that one has enjoyed or the loss of self-esteem.

preferred death to life with dishonor

Where would disrepute be a reasonable alternative to ignominy?

The meanings of disrepute and ignominy largely overlap; however, disrepute stresses loss of one's good name or the acquiring of a bad reputation.

a once proud name fallen into disrepute

When might infamy be a better fit than ignominy?

Although the words infamy and ignominy have much in common, infamy usually implies notoriety as well as exceeding shame.

a day that lives in infamy

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 ignominy Most of how it’s made is perfectly in step with the darlings of the cocktail world—Chartreuse, Bénédictine, Fernet Branca—except only Jägermeister is singled out for ignominy. Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2024 If Netanyahu meant for this trip to heap similar ignominy on President Biden, whom the Israeli leader has falsely accused of holding up shipments of weapons, then he was upstaged by Biden’s momentous decision Sunday to leave the presidential race. Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2024 The good citizens of Santa Fe are owed, if not their money back, at least a damn good explanation of how this case was so badly mishandled from Day 1 to the ignominy of an outright dismissal with prejudice because of prosecutorial misconduct. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 23 July 2024 Wisdom knows when to step aside, victorious, rather than remain in a final competition that will crush one’s reputation into ignominy. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 9 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for ignominy 

Thesaurus Entries Near ignominy

Cite this Entry

“Ignominy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignominy. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on ignominy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!