Synonyms of ignominy

ignominy

noun

ˈig-nə-ˌmi-nē 

as in disgrace

the state of having lost the esteem of others

he spent the remainder of his life in ignominy after being involved in a bribery scandal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disgrace
• shame
• humiliation
• infamy
• contempt
• disrepute
• odium
• dishonor
• obloquy
• opprobrium
• stigma
• reproach
• disdain
• discredit
• scandal
• disesteem
• disapproval
• taint
• scorn
• degradation
• stain
• despite
• abasement
• disapprobation
• dust
• debasement
• blot
• deprecation
• disfavor
• brand
• slur
• debasing
• shadow
• humbling
• smirch
• spot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• respect
• esteem
• honor
• fear
• regard
• admiration
• appreciation
• estimation
• glory
• fame
• reverence
• awe
• renown
• repute

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun ignominy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ignominy are disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, and infamy. While all these words mean "the state or condition of suffering loss of esteem and of enduring reproach," ignominy stresses humiliation.

the ignominy of being arrested

When can disgrace be used instead of ignominy?

The synonyms disgrace and ignominy are sometimes interchangeable, but disgrace often implies humiliation and sometimes ostracism.

sent home in disgrace

In what contexts can dishonor take the place of ignominy?

In some situations, the words dishonor and ignominy are roughly equivalent. However, dishonor emphasizes the loss of honor that one has enjoyed or the loss of self-esteem.

preferred death to life with dishonor

Where would disrepute be a reasonable alternative to ignominy?

The meanings of disrepute and ignominy largely overlap; however, disrepute stresses loss of one's good name or the acquiring of a bad reputation.

a once proud name fallen into disrepute

When might infamy be a better fit than ignominy?

Although the words infamy and ignominy have much in common, infamy usually implies notoriety as well as exceeding shame.

a day that lives in infamy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ignominy

There was the ignominy of falling into League One and then the long, arduous road back that climaxed with promotion via the Championship play-off final in May. —Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2025

At least Elon Musk’s car company can avoid the ignominy of coming last in perceptions of each EV brand’s safety. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 22 July 2025

That ignominy goes to Audi, with an embarrassing 269 problems reported per 100 vehicles. —Carlton Reid, Wired News, 13 July 2025

Perhaps worst of all, Gonzalez brought political ignominy once again on Southeast L.A. County, better known as SELA. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025