Synonym Chooser

How does the noun ignominy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ignominy are disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, and infamy. While all these words mean "the state or condition of suffering loss of esteem and of enduring reproach," ignominy stresses humiliation.

the ignominy of being arrested

When can disgrace be used instead of ignominy?

The synonyms disgrace and ignominy are sometimes interchangeable, but disgrace often implies humiliation and sometimes ostracism.

sent home in disgrace

In what contexts can dishonor take the place of ignominy?

In some situations, the words dishonor and ignominy are roughly equivalent. However, dishonor emphasizes the loss of honor that one has enjoyed or the loss of self-esteem.

preferred death to life with dishonor

Where would disrepute be a reasonable alternative to ignominy?

The meanings of disrepute and ignominy largely overlap; however, disrepute stresses loss of one's good name or the acquiring of a bad reputation.

a once proud name fallen into disrepute

When might infamy be a better fit than ignominy?

Although the words infamy and ignominy have much in common, infamy usually implies notoriety as well as exceeding shame.

a day that lives in infamy

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 ignominy Death, ignominy, loss of my home, my land, my people and endless wandering. Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2025 Odenkirk and Zulevic’s take on the history is more of a lighthearted fun teen romp and a showcase of shock jock Steve Dahl on a wild and unexpected summer night, rather than the ignominy that the night would come to represent to some. William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025 At least Elon Musk’s car company can avoid the ignominy of coming last in perceptions of each EV brand’s safety. Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 22 July 2025 What caused the Celtics to squander a 20-point second-half lead and lose to the New York Knicks – then suffer the exact same ignominy again two nights later? Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for ignominy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignominy
Noun
  • Amid her disgrace, Baldwin somewhat retreated from social media and from constantly posting images of her seven children, which critics found exploitative.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025
  • This person has brought shame and disgrace to the badge and to an honorable profession.
    Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • What a shame Dennis Gimball won’t be alive to run on it.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Which is a shame, as Denver had veteran hands on-side.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Following the Chiefs’ 31-0 humiliation of the visiting Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, Andy Reid dispensed with his normally exhaustive postgame rundown of individual accolades.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2025
  • That public humiliation is The Chair Company’s inciting incident.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ignominy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignominy. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ignominy

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