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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 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 Larraín’s third subject, Maria Callas, despite being born to an ignoble family and having to face wartime poverty during the 1940s, was no stranger to the trappings of an empyrean existence, but in constantly having to live up to it, like Diana, her life met an untimely end. Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Dec. 2024 Australia’s laissez-faire automobile attitude puts it in ignoble company. Michael E. Miller, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for ignoble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignoble
Adjective
  • There is no sign outside Hurdle’s San Diego salon, but despite the low profile, her Instagram page warns that she’s usually booked months in advance.
    Lindsy Van Gelder, Allure, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Their recruitment model is heavily dependent on identifying and developing young talent — often at low cost by Premier League spending standards — from all over the world.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • While he’s gone, Louise really does give it the ol’ college try with Dane, who hurls threats, vile insults, and more threats in her direction.
    Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 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
  • Tom Hardy stars in the neo-noir crime thriller as a corrupt detective named Walker, who shoots, punches, and drop-kicks his way through an entire criminal underworld to rescue the estranged son of dirty politician Lawrence Beaumont (Forest Whitaker).
    Mike Miller, EW.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Viewers will remember that Sheppard showed up in the season premiere, when his investigation of a deadly biker gang intersected with the Organized Crime Control Bureau’s pursuit of a dirty trucking company.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This match was brimming with goals and officiating controversy, and on the whole, the weekend was a humble reminder to everyone who dared question the chaos quotient in this league: The limit does not exist.
    Emily Olsen, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Amidst heated debate about what sneaker will take the Adidas Sambas’ crown for shoe du jour, Richie Grainge offered up the humble Reebok.
    Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Mingyang took the center of the Octagon from the beginning, landed hard leg kicks, and opened a nasty gash on Smith’s forehead with a step-in elbow.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • With a triple-digit heater and a nasty slider, he’s always been a tantalizing talent.
    Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The comments in screen shots of the chat room were demeaning and vulgar – as were the texts from the anonymous messenger who had sent her the images.
    Yoonjung Seo and Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Where once was the vulgar, now lies the Vulgate, a common relatable almost religious experience that all at Barclays seemed to feel.
    Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Even children and adolescents express more willingness to shun and punish moral transgressors than people who do something personally obnoxious or offensive but not immoral.
    Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Regardless of what transpired between the two cast members, on or off screen, Aspen was unfairly portrayed as an immoral character.
    Taylor Crumpton, Essence, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ignoble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignoble. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

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