IGNOMINY Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

ignominy

noun

ˈig-nə-ˌmi-nē

Definition of ignominy

as in disgrace

the state of having lost the esteem of others he spent the remainder of his life in ignominy after being involved in a bribery scandal

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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 Now players such as Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini and Cristiano Ronaldo share the ignominy. — Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026 The night got worse from there, though many fans spared themselves the ignominy to follow. — Staff Report, Twin Cities, 1 Apr. 2026 Covered for the ignominy of his historically woeful four-for-51 hitting performance. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026 The Wizards carried a 10-game losing streak into Saturday and were four days removed from the historic ignominy of allowing 83 points to Miami’s Bam Adebayo. — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ignominy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignominy

Noun

When Spiro Agnew resigned in disgrace over tax evasion, Kennerly was tapped to photograph one of his potential replacements as vice president, Gerald Ford.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Until Graham Platner’s Maine Senate campaign exploded in disgrace, Platner was routinely cast as a son of privilege playing Carhartt dress-up.

— Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of disgrace

Noun

Along the way, the audience can expect tons of humiliation, terrible second prizes, and the guarantee that Robertson will turn at least one poor soul's wrong turn into several minutes of unhinged public destruction.

— Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
There is a feeling of humiliation that stings long after an event has passed.

— Wilbert L. Cooper, Longreads, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of humiliation

Browse Nearby Words

ignominious

ignominy

ignorable

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“Ignominy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignominy. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of ignominy

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