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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 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 Race favorite Taj Mahal’s career is by no means over as a result of his ignominious fade to tenth. — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for ignominious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignominious

Adjective

Pamela Smart, whose conviction for manipulating her teenage lover into killing her husband became one of America's most notorious murder cases, has asked a New Hampshire judge to let her latest bid for a new trial move forward.

— Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026
In his racing days, Ainslie was notorious for letting his temper get the better of him.

— Andrew Rice, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of notorious

Adjective

Here, though, the entire enterprise is vile, and futile, and irredeemable, made worse by the self-delusion of the people who pursue it.

— Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 21 July 2026
Finally, if companies like Hilton are going to investigate and fire every employee who posts something vile online, the workforce could become noticeably thinner.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of vile

Adjective

Broadly, Clancy’s case is similar to the infamous trial of Andrea Yates, the Texas mother who drowned her five children in their bathtub in 2001.

— Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
Strong, once the most infamous and most wanted person in the country, had faded into obscurity.

— Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 25 July 2026

Definition of infamous

Adjective

In Michigan alone, more than 7,000 have fallen ill with the nasty foodborne disease, which causes severe diarrhea, and comes from exposure to a parasite in contaminated water used to wash or irrigate crops.

— Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Europe has been consumed by a nasty fire season this year, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS).

— Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of nasty

Adjective

He had not been involved in a criminal case before in the county, King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Casey McNerthney said.

— Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 28 July 2026
Now, the community is about to enter what could be the final chapter in the criminal cases stemming from the state’s deadliest school shooting.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 July 2026

Definition of criminal

Adjective

Stuck behind Piastri for the first and second race stints, Norris felt his pace was being compromised by dirty air — the wake from one car that causes a loss in downforce and worse handling for one following closely — coming off his teammate’s car.

— Luke Smith, New York Times, 27 July 2026
The dirty vegan takes a different kick, with kale noodles in a savory, creamy vegan broth topped with corn, steamed tofu, rolled tofu skin, sliced green onions and seasonal vegetables.

— Justin Brown, AJC.com, 26 July 2026

Definition of dirty

Adjective

Keep the cuttings in a shady site and mist several times a day to have plants ready for containers or other flower beds in about a month.

— Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2026
These shady sites are great nap spots for rattlesnakes, which are common to the area.

— Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026

Definition of shady

Adjective

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
The most memorable, and notorious, moment from the race was the ignoble exit of Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell.

— Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 27 May 2026

Definition of ignoble

Browse Nearby Words

ignominies

ignominious

ignominy

See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ignominious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignominious. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of ignominious

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on ignominious

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

sultry

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes