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 There was the ignominy of falling into League One and then the long, arduous road back that climaxed with promotion via the Championship play-off final in May. Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 12 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 That ignominy goes to Audi, with an embarrassing 269 problems reported per 100 vehicles. Carlton Reid, Wired News, 13 July 2025 Perhaps worst of all, Gonzalez brought political ignominy once again on Southeast L.A. County, better known as SELA. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ignominy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignominy
Noun
  • The ladies move closer to God through acts of disobedience, debauchery, and disgrace; by visiting seedy places and commingling with the disreputable.
    Nicole Flattery, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Ireland didn’t disgrace themselves, but using four bowlers in the first four overs said everything about where their problems were in the first-ever T20 game hosted against their nearest neighbor.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And on the top right are the inhibitory emotions — emotions like anxiety, shame and guilt; their job is to push down our core emotions, which are at the bottom of the triangle.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Being intimate with Olivia helped my shame dissipate.
    Emma Specter, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The American team was in danger of complete humiliation, but on Sunday the US golfers managed to recover and almost pulled off what would have been arguably the greatest comeback in sports.
    Don Riddell, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Podcast host Sinek jokingly asked if that was the price of humiliation.
    Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ignominy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignominy. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ignominy

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