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

The indignities keep piling up as Patrick continues to convey both almost-genuine concern and menace simultaneously. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2026

One of the many indignities of aging is that none of us seem to be able to see without our glasses. — Tarajia Morrell, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2026

Together, these indignities galvanized the local Black press. — Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 3 Nov. 2026

Meanwhile, Amy’s parents, Birdie (Bailey) and Geoff (Jesson), navigate the indignities of getting older. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Oct. 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