IGNOMINIOUS Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

ignominious

adjective

ˌig-nə-ˈmi-nē-əs

Definition of ignominious

as in notorious

not respectable some of his friends considered the low-level job to be an ignominious fate for the laid-off executive

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in vile

not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency the prison guards degraded themselves with their inhumane, ignominious treatment of the prisoners

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 ignominious What was seen as the injustice of her ignominious end on the gallows was at least one factor of many that propelled a move to war. — Literary Hub, 26 May 2026 Everlane is not the only relic of the ethical consumption era to find itself in ignominious circumstances. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 23 May 2026 In doing so, the TV adaptation fumbled the comics’ superior final act, turning Butcher’s own ignominious death at the hands of Hughie into an ineffective afterthought. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 May 2026 The first of such occurrences in nearly two years, this marks an ignominious milestone and potential turning point in Moscow’s years-long invasion effort. — Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for ignominious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignominious

Adjective

While expected, the decision is notable because Rasmussen — beyond being one of MLB’s best pitchers — is a notorious Yankee killer.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026
During the Malaysian Grand Prix's previous run from 1999-2017, the track became notorious for sudden downpours which made for thrilling races and some unexpected results.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of notorious

Adjective

Much of the discourse surrounds Kazan’s creative choice in how to portray the book’s infamous antagonist, Cathy Ames, in Netflix’s seven-episode limited series out Thursday.

— Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
That said, even in a sport now infamous for quick cash grabs, this feels like the most blatant of them all.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of infamous

Adjective

The New York Yankees were still reeling from a nasty gut punch — a 1-0 loss to the rival Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the best-of-five American League Division Series at Tropicana Field on Saturday night.

— Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Frank Senior was a barber who dreamed of being a singer, a nasty cur who beat his two sons and verbally whittled them down to a nub.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of nasty

Adjective

Spanning multiple decades, the period procedural follows a legendary detective who, alongside his dedicated team, cracks complex criminal cases while chronicling the evolving apparatus of China’s public security forces.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Patterson said on his campaign website his priorities include pushing for local rather than state control, strengthening criminal accountability, securing funding for infrastructure and protecting homeowners from rising property tax rates.

— Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of criminal

Adjective

At first the owner stared at him blankly, then flashed a look of distaste, as if a dirty rodent had brushed his foot.

— Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
Stephens and several teammates then appeared to taunt the Oregon players and celebrate the dirty play rather than show concern for a fellow college athlete who was lying motionless on the field.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of dirty

Adjective

There was money, manipulation, secret meetings with shady characters in China, fake identities, lies, trickery, and deceit.

— Eamon Javers, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
Our favorite spots to lounge were the roof deck loungers and the padded bench seating beneath shady palm fronds in the atrium courtyard.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of shady

Adjective

The prizes’ name is a reference to Ignatius (Ig) Nobel—a fictional character said to be a distant cousin of Swedish inventor and industrialist Alfred Nobel, for whom the Nobel Prizes are named—and is also a pun on the word ignoble.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026
This is an ignoble war making monsters and fools out of its participants, and against the uncontrollable weapons that are dragons, everyone’s resolve is crumbling.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 June 2026

Definition of ignoble

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“Ignominious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignominious. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ignominious

adjective

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