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

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)

2

obsolete : lack or loss of dignity or honor

Synonyms of indignity

• insult
• sarcasm
• outrage

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

Hollywood can forgive a lot, but being beaten by ‘CatVideoFest’ is the sort of indignity that writes its own punchline. — Christina Dugan Ramirez , Ashley Papa , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Moreover, because the Sears catalog did not racially discriminate, economic historians credit the catalog as a major tool for Black consumers to side-step the indignities and discrimination of Jim Crow commerce. — Harold Pollack, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Following the pandemic and resurgence of fascism and brutal deceits, and picking up on the discussions of shame found in My 1980s Gayboy Playlist, Ashby has now focused on indignity and intolerance. — Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026

For generations, the 103-year-old Catholic parish has been a beacon of solace and resistance for residents angry about the latest indignity to befall the historic heart of Latino Los Angeles. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin indignitat-, indignitas, from indignus

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for indignity

• malignity
• dignity

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