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
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
Pride’s success ought to have led to more Black voices in country music, but folks like Linda Martell still had to endure countless indignities, obstacles, and double standards.
—
Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 1 Apr. 2024
That is an indignity that no American should have to suffer.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024
Meanwhile the animals, some of whom were once deployed in America’s foreign wars, are helping break new ground with research on kidney stones, cataracts, weight issues and all the other indignities faced by aging veterans everywhere.
—Andrew Van Dam, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024
Now, his literary guardians have put in front of the world the indignity of García Márquez imitating himself.
—Michael Greenberg, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024
One of the indignities of getting older is the way your body’s defenses against microbes begin to break down, leaving you extra vulnerable to infection.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 27 Mar. 2024
In a final stroke of indignity, Jack was cremated against her wishes since her family couldn’t afford to bury her.
—Calmatters, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024
Advertisement As Palestinians from the West Bank described life under Israeli occupation — nighttime raids on their towns, the indignities of border checkpoints — Angelina felt a surge of recognition.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2024
When her son, Julien, blabbed about Debbie’s crazy, on-screen breakup with her new beau, the Georgia native admitted to holding some indignity over the 43-year age gap relationship.
—Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024
Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 1 Apr. 2024
That is an indignity that no American should have to suffer.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024
Meanwhile the animals, some of whom were once deployed in America’s foreign wars, are helping break new ground with research on kidney stones, cataracts, weight issues and all the other indignities faced by aging veterans everywhere.
—Andrew Van Dam, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024
Now, his literary guardians have put in front of the world the indignity of García Márquez imitating himself.
—Michael Greenberg, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024
One of the indignities of getting older is the way your body’s defenses against microbes begin to break down, leaving you extra vulnerable to infection.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 27 Mar. 2024
In a final stroke of indignity, Jack was cremated against her wishes since her family couldn’t afford to bury her.
—Calmatters, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024
Advertisement As Palestinians from the West Bank described life under Israeli occupation — nighttime raids on their towns, the indignities of border checkpoints — Angelina felt a surge of recognition.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2024
When her son, Julien, blabbed about Debbie’s crazy, on-screen breakup with her new beau, the Georgia native admitted to holding some indignity over the 43-year age gap relationship.
—Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'indignity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near indignity
Cite this Entry
“Indignity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indignity. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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