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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 But for those who aren’t Third Reich completists, nor have any interest in historical fantasy that does little beyond embellishing Mengele’s ignoble reputation, this intellectually vacuous exercise can be tough to stomach — despite how well put together the whole thing is. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025 If this story were a parable, our hero would likely suffer some ignoble end as punishment for his moral failings. Hazlitt, 13 May 2025 Rudy Giuliani, who was once considered a national hero for his leadership during 9/11, and who went down in a spray of legal and financial troubles after tying himself to Trump, arguably represents a third category, of mayors who are both ignoble and indelible. Eric Lach, New Yorker, 5 May 2025 There’s an ignoble tradition of falsified memoirs. Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ignoble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignoble
Adjective
  • But the three-time Oscar winner makes the most out of every line reading, not by going big (a near impossibility in an Anderson movie) but by setting Felicity’s fears and annoyances to a very low simmer.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 June 2025
  • Steer clear of puddles - Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2025
Adjective
  • Today's extradition is a giant step forward in holding the defendant accountable for his unspeakably reprehensible and vile efforts to spread fear, chaos, and hate.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
  • Finally, the mint julep is a vile almost undrinkable beverage.
    John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 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
  • Washing Machine Cleaner Your clothes aren’t the only things that get dirty in the laundry room.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 13 June 2025
  • The effort is big business with organized, managed, paid people doing the dirty work.
    Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • The humble statement was met with loud protests from all of his onstage colleagues, as well as Armisen.
    Jillian Sederholm, EW.com, 4 June 2025
  • The humble bathroom scale has long been overdue to learn some new tricks.
    Christopher Null, Wired News, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • Well, as referenced above, the United States was coming out of a nasty recession tied to the crisis in the mortgage market.
    Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • But many of those story beats feel perfunctory; the film comes to life in the nastier, grislier set pieces.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • The survey examined a minimum of 1,000 comments per team and found less than 1% of posts made by fans of the Dallas Wings contained swear words or vulgar comments.
    Alyssa Cooper, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2025
  • The program was incredibly close-knit—kids practiced most days of the week, and hung out almost exclusively with their fellow All-Stars, as well as with the vulgar, charismatic teacher who structured their lives.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • Kudos to Bruce Springsteen for practicing his First Amendment rights to rail against the corrupt policies and immoral actions of the Trump administration.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 30 May 2025
  • Independent jurors can blunt the force of immoral laws and arbitrary prosecutions by refusing to subject their neighbors to unjust laws or overtly cruel punishment.
    Mike Fox, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ignoble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignoble. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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