indignity
noun
in·dig·ni·ty
in-ˈdig-nə-tē 
plural indignities
1
a
: an act or occurrence that offends against a person's dignity or self-respect : insult
… every little indignity that ever happened to them, and every two-bit feud, magnified …—
Wilfred Sheed
Wilfred Sheed
b
: humiliating treatment
… a buccal swab, which involves a brief and minimal intrusion … does not increase the indignity already attendant to normal incidents of arrest.—Maryland v. King, 569 U.S. 435 (2013)
Maryland v. King, 569 U.S. 435 (2013)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
Khamenei himself suffered the indignity of going into hiding during the bombings.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
As Hanan’s opening monologue suggests, the ensuing calamity has roots that stretch far back, not just to Israel’s initial takeover of Palestinian land but, also, in how the Hammads have internalized their fear and indignity.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
The final indignity came Sunday, when the Los Angeles Rams beat the Cardinals 37-20 after scoring the final 21 points.
—Mark Anderson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
After being delivered one too many indignities, Ziggy snaps and takes out his partner in a fit of rage.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indignity
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David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
As Hanan’s opening monologue suggests, the ensuing calamity has roots that stretch far back, not just to Israel’s initial takeover of Palestinian land but, also, in how the Hammads have internalized their fear and indignity.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
The final indignity came Sunday, when the Los Angeles Rams beat the Cardinals 37-20 after scoring the final 21 points.
—Mark Anderson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
After being delivered one too many indignities, Ziggy snaps and takes out his partner in a fit of rage.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indignity
Cite this Entry
“Indignity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indignity. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
