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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ignoble differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ignoble are abject, mean, and sordid. While all these words mean "being below the normal standards of human decency and dignity," ignoble suggests a loss or lack of some essential high quality of mind or spirit.

an ignoble scramble after material possessions

When would abject be a good substitute for ignoble?

In some situations, the words abject and ignoble are roughly equivalent. However, abject may imply degradation, debasement, or servility.

abject poverty

When could mean be used to replace ignoble?

The words mean and ignoble are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mean suggests small-mindedness, ill temper, or cupidity.

mean and petty satire

When can sordid be used instead of ignoble?

The meanings of sordid and ignoble largely overlap; however, sordid is stronger than all of these in stressing physical or spiritual degradation and abjectness.

a sordid story of murder and revenge

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ignoble This is something of an ignoble cap to one of the worst years of Rodgers' illustrious career. David Faris, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024 Until then, there are the Razzies, an ignoble accolade marking the very worst movies and acting performances of the year. Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025 But on this southern front of the Trump empire, Palm Beach County, Donald Trump is flirting with ignoble defeat. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025 This is something of an ignoble cap to one of the worst years of Rodgers' illustrious career. David Faris, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for ignoble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignoble
Adjective
  • Abarth is low cost, high return and should be encouraged.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • China's retail sales disappoint Retail sales in China grew 5.1% in April from a year earlier, lower than the 5.5% expected by a Reuters poll and March's figure of 5.9%, suggesting the spending habits of consumers are still muted.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Twain’s early writing and private letters and diaries contain vile language and sentiments.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025
  • The Imperial City Sewers you’re meant to traverse while learning the basics of the game look hideous and vile.
    Jamal Michel, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Below that sits the pedestrian CLK 500 and plebeian CLK 350.
    Jeremy Korzeniewski, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Across the lake, on the plebeian side, up the shoreline a mile or so, in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach, stand twin 32-story towers dubbed Trump Plaza of the Palm Beaches.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Airplane tray tables, seatbelt buckles and armrests are known to be among the dirtiest surfaces onboard.
    Isabelle Rodney, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
  • Duffy, a former reality show contestant and four-term congressman, comes to the blame game with dirty hands.
    Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Netflix 19 of 20 A Tale of Two Kitchens (2019) The modest length of this short — which clocks in at 30 minutes — reflects its humble attitude.
    Katie Rife, EW.com, 11 May 2025
  • Flatten It Out Sea turtles don't have much mobility on land, and even the humblest sand structure can be a major obstacle to nesting females making their way across the sand or to hatchlings heading back toward the water.
    Katie Akin, Southern Living, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • The apps have a nasty trick that fools users into the initial download, and once on a phone, the damage is done.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • He’s been the spirit of the Panthers’ skillfully nasty style the previous two springs.
    Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • Climate change vandals spray-painted a Tesla car dealership in Manhattan on Tuesday to protest Elon Musk’s work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), but as police arrived, the activists could be seen cleaning off some of the vulgar writing.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Two of the protesters are facing counts including obstructing a law enforcement officer and simple battery on a law enforcement officer, while a third has been charged with using vulgar language, according to Acworth police.
    Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Altering Medicaid in any way that decreases services, decreases funding to the states, or builds roadblocks to care is immoral and against Christian values.
    Dr. James W. Cox-Chapman, Hartford Courant, 11 May 2025
  • Under him, juvenile justice is unjust, and the department has been spending in ways that are immoral and not proper accounting or spending of taxes.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ignoble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignoble. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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