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 worry, of course, is that the Ueda board might suffer the same ignominy as the 2006-2008 BOJ. — William Pesek, Forbes.com, 1 Mar. 2026 Still, the 2025-26 campaign could have descended into historical ignominy. — Carl Anka, New York Times, 26 May 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

The man who’d held the presidency before Gerald Ford had resigned in disgrace two years earlier.

— Lynn Schmidt, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
Well, its’ interesting because for many years the Republican Party revered Reagan much more than Nixon, partly because Reagan was a successful president and Nixon, of course, ended his presidency in disgrace.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 June 2026

Definition of disgrace

Noun

With wonder and with great shame the yodel is an orphaned sound, a sound that turns the serenade toward an addressee that is destined to never hear it.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
Altitude is going to be a leveller, just a shame there are no West Bromwich Albion players in the England squad.

— Phil Hay, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of shame

Noun

Instead, much of the rest of the soccer world will likely feel vindication – and more than a little bit of satisfaction at American humiliation on such a huge stage.

— Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
The iconic bunny costume moment, when Elle is tricked into showing up to a non-costume party wearing a Playboy bunny get-up, was the catalyst for exploring how Elle was able to shake that humiliation off.

— Scarlett Harris, IndieWire, 6 July 2026

Definition of humiliation

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ignominious

ignominy

ignorable

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“Ignominy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignominy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of ignominy

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