indignity

noun

in·​dig·​ni·​ty in-ˈdig-nə-tē How to pronounce indignity (audio)
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

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 Dominique Janee: That again is physician and author, Melody McCloud, who says Rebecca Crumpler endured all sorts of indignities. Dominique Janee, Scientific American, 2 Nov. 2023 Still, even friends and family aren’t immune to the indignities of waiting in line. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2023 Then the fungus slowly feeds on the host, sprouting new spores throughout the body as one final indignity. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 31 Oct. 2023 But that indignity turns out to be an honest reflection of the movie’s patronizing, sanctifying attitude toward Mary, a Black woman whose devastation over her son’s death isn’t explored so much as exploited for dramatic and topical effect. Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2023 But is the title of speaker worth all this indignity? Erin B. Logan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2023 Ten years after that indignity, Detroit has rebounded to a degree that few would have thought possible. Matthew Heimer, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2023 Where there was one touchdown scored in the first 44 minutes, the two combined for five in the final 16. Casagrande: Texas saved Alabama’s greatest indignity for last Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe established himself as a true three-outcome passer on Saturday night. Michael Casagrande | McAsagrande@al.com, al, 10 Sep. 2023 The White men armed then with ax handles and bats beat Black protesters who were conducting sit-ins against Whites-only lunch counters and other indignities of segregation. Brittany Shammas, Washington Post, 29 Aug. 2023 See More

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.

Word History

Etymology

Latin indignitat-, indignitas, from indignus

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of indignity was in 1581

Dictionary Entries Near indignity

Cite this Entry

“Indignity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indignity. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

indignity

noun
in·​dig·​ni·​ty in-ˈdig-nət-ē How to pronounce indignity (audio)
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 How to pronounce indignity (audio)
plural indignities
: persistent and intolerable behavior toward a spouse especially as a manifestation of settled estrangement

More from Merriam-Webster on indignity

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