indignity

noun

in·​dig·​ni·​ty in-ˈdig-nə-tē 

plural indignities

1

a

: an act that offends against a person's dignity or self-respect : insult

b

: humiliating treatment

2

obsolete : lack or loss of dignity or honor

Synonyms

• affront
• barb
• brickbat
• cut
• dart
• dig
• dis [slang]
• diss
• epithet
• gird
• insult
• name
• offense
• offence
• outrage
• personality
• poke
• put-down
• sarcasm
• slap
• slight
• slur

Examples of indignity in a Sentence

He remembers all the indignities he had to suffer in the early years of his career.

We must endure the indignities of growing old.

He suffered the indignity of being forced to leave the courtroom.

The indignity of it all was too much to bear.

Recent Examples on the Web

Then last season, it was forced to endure the indignity of watching a Big Ten team (Michigan) beat a soon-to-be Big Ten team (Washington) for the national title. —David Ubben, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025

Few react to that indignity by scouring the streets in a quest to confront the unfortunate soul who left them hanging. —Judy Berman, TIME, 23 Dec. 2024

Those kinds of indignities were par for the course, according to an article about the 6888 by military history writer Kevin M. Hymel that inspired the film. —Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024

Its hours are limited, and no dogs are allowed, a particular indignity given the number of households in South Park with canines. —Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin indignitat-, indignitas, from indignus

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

indignity

noun

in·​dig·​ni·​ty in-ˈdig-nət-ē 

plural indignities

1

: an act that injures a person's dignity or self-respect : insult

2

: humiliating treatment

Legal Definition

indignity

noun

in·​dig·​ni·​ty in-ˈdig-nə-tē 

plural indignities

: persistent and intolerable behavior toward a spouse especially as a manifestation of settled estrangement