Definition of ignoblenext
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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 an ignoble plan that cites dubious science while elevating the entertainment of a handful of hunters over the revulsion of most Floridians. Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2025 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 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
  • Boxer Imane Khelif admitted to having the SRY gene, located on the Y chromosome, which is found in biological males, and undergoing hormone treatments to lower testosterone levels ahead of the 2024 Olympics in an interview with the French sports publication L'Equipe.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The appeals court sent the case back to the lower court to amend the 2024 ruling.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • How heartbreaking, and how vile, that any adult claiming compassion would seek to imbue a child with that extreme allergy to their own self.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
  • The Diary again casts its eye far and wide for news, any news, that might distract us all from the vile toxicity emanating from Washington—make that Davos.
    Chop Choppish Shop, Air Mail, 24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • This one is about a regular old guy, a hedge knight in the plebeian population of Westeros, just trying to get by in a world that isn't kind to the common and poor.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Below that sits the pedestrian CLK 500 and plebeian CLK 350.
    Jeremy Korzeniewski, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Use of dirty plastic directly To optimize the structure for real-world use, the team utilized computer simulations to identify a design with a high stiffness-to-weight ratio.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
  • The trucks hauling the snow frolicked in the water, sending dirty gray ripples toward me.
    Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Whereas Bowen’s upbringing created a natural affinity with Proust, his work also struck a chord with contemporaries of more humble origin.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
  • For Newsom, a middle-aged man with a large, young family, a glow of professional attainment, and, most days, enough Oribe Crème in his hair to dress a good Crab Louie, the challenge has been to look both humble and concerned.
    Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Microsoft took months to fix Remote Desktop disconnection issues, then shipped a Windows Update that wiped out Copilot, and released updates that duplicated the Task Manager and created a nasty system recovery bug.
    Tom Warren, The Verge, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Those might have increased here because of weak data, like the nasty drop in consumer confidence yesterday, or because of the expectation a new Fed chair will be more dovish.
    Kelly Evans, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The messages—widely condemned as vulgar, misogynistic, racist, and homophobic—also revealed discussions about manipulating media coverage, targeting political opponents, and casual references to the misuse of public funds.
    Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Phoenix Open conduct code The Thunderbirds maintain a zero-tolerance policy regarding lewd and lascivious conduct, including but not limited to, disorderly or violent behavior and vulgar or violent language.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • In addition to being immoral, CFA’s support for BDS likely violates state law, AB 2844, which prohibits California from contracting with entities that engage in discrimination, including against Jews or Israelis.
    Mark Pinkert, Oc Register, 23 Dec. 2025
  • The film follows the deliciously immoral, widowed Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale), who maneuvers, deceives and seduces her way through London and across her relatives' country estates in an effort to find a wealthy husband for herself and her daughter, Frederica (Morfydd Clark).
    Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ignoble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignoble. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.

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