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

Example 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 Can the Leafs avoid the ignominy that would come with blowing a 3-0 series lead? James Mirtle, New York Times, 1 May 2025 Dutton also faces the potential ignominy of losing his own seat in parliament, as happened to Canadian Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre. Hilary Whiteman and Angus Watson, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025 Then to jib down and find that sad ignominy of his body in the sack with the bloodstain. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 21 Apr. 2025 Eric Wynalda dribbled toward the goal box and curled a shot inside the far post for an 88th-minute strike, saving the league’s debut from scoreless ignominy and lifting San Jose’s club, then named the Clash, to a 1-0 win over D.C. United. Cam Inman, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ignominy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignominy
Noun
  • Luca Zaia, the head of the surrounding Veneto region, calls the protests a disgrace.
    Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 17 June 2025
  • Of course—as at any breakthrough moment, any evolutionary threshold of the psyche—you’re being swarmed by the old demons, now at extra strength: guilt, disgrace, an image of your mother scolding you.
    James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 June 2025
Noun
  • Their cruelty is wielded without shame or restraint.
    James Folta, Literary Hub, 27 June 2025
  • His parents, Polish immigrants who fled German conquest and discrimination, took Indian land—and felt shame over doing so, having been uprooted themselves.
    Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ignominy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignominy. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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