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 Hossain isn’t a thief by nature, but rather a working man suffering from the indignity of Iranian class stratification. Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2024 Their music is full of life’s many indignities, sure, but there’s also a kind of raw humanity to it all. Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2024 For the cover of the August 12, 2024, issue, the cartoonist Roz Chast—who has delighted readers since 1978 with her opinionated and peculiar takes on life’s indignities—gives ice-cream makers some suggestions for new flavors. Françoise Mouly, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024 With hospitals ravaged by Israeli bombings and medical supplies blocked from arriving, every step in the process of amputation – from the operation itself, to postoperative treatment, to disability management – is marred by pain and indignity. Graham Liddell, The Conversation, 6 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for indignity 

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 8 Sep. 2024.

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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