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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 My focus is down to the ignoble little health annoyances that seem to cap and even eclipse a major setback. John Updike, New Yorker, 11 July 2025 And bugs’ ignoble practices exert fascination on poets too. Hannah Brooks-Motl june 2, Literary Hub, 2 June 2025 Within hours, your unscrupulous corporate rivals bask in ignoble victory. Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025 The janky but oddly addictive Friday the 13th: The Game goes offline for good at the end of the year — an ignoble but perhaps inevitable fate for an interactive slasher that’s been plagued by problems since its rocky launch in 2017. A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for ignoble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignoble
Adjective
  • For instance, if both people are eligible but one earned more, collect the lower amount first to have some cash.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In the season’s back half, neither its overloading of vile desecrations nor maudlin sentimentality adds anything that Monster hadn’t already established four episodes ago.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Koch’s vile conduct spawns a number of unnecessary fantasy sequences either brought on by the comics or wholly imagined by Ed.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 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
  • For both areas, Painter hit the transfer portal and landed a dirty-work center in Cluff.
    CJ Moore, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Far from a knightly war, the German advance in 1941-1942 against France was a dirty one, with thieving of private property and menace against civilians.
    Christopher C. Gorham September 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • From the humble red dwarfs to the titanic supergiants, stars come in a dazzling array of sizes, colors, and lifespans.
    Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Heading into the season, Shough's had a humble headspace.
    Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • And what about all that nasty mother stuff?
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The wedding ballads can wait; this nasty jam should still get the dancefloor packed in the meantime.
    Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Colorado has condemned a vulgar chant its fans directed at BYU during its football team’s 24-21 loss Saturday at Folsom Field.
    David Ubben, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Protecting speech for all requires great tolerance for the vulgar, rude, offensive, angry, mean and, yes, even hateful.
    The Detroit News Editorial Board, Twin Cities, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Unlike previous seasons, Dorothy never makes immoral choices.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • This is disgraceful and immoral.
    Armando Garcia, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ignoble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignoble. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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