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indignity
noun
in·dig·ni·ty
in-ˈdig-nə-tē
plural indignities
1
a
: an act that offends against a person's dignity or self-respect : insult
b
: humiliating treatment
2
obsolete
: lack or loss of dignity or honor
Synonyms
Examples of indignity in a Sentence
He remembers all the indignities he had to suffer in the early years of his career.
We must endure the indignities of growing old.
He suffered the indignity of being forced to leave the courtroom.
The indignity of it all was too much to bear.
Recent Examples on the Web
One of the detainees is a U.S. military veteran who suffered the indignity of having the legitimacy of his military documentation questioned.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Could the law have protected her grandmother from such indignity in death, or protected King from this disturbing discovery?
—
Tyler McBrien, The Dial, 28 Jan. 2025
Maximum would never force such an indignity — sorry, great honor!
—
Jack King, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2024
Together the besties are annoyed by the mundanity of their jobs, from fielding ridiculous customer complaints to suffering the indignity of having their service summoned by a bell on a pop-up flag installed on the tables.
—
Courtney Howard, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025
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Word History
Etymology
Latin indignitat-, indignitas, from indignus
First Known Use
1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Dictionary Entries Near indignity
Cite this Entry
“Indignity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indignity. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
indignity
noun
in·dig·ni·ty
in-ˈdig-nət-ē
plural indignities
1
: an act that injures a person's dignity or self-respect : insult
2
: humiliating treatment
Legal Definition
indignity
noun
in·dig·ni·ty
in-ˈdig-nə-tē
plural indignities
: persistent and intolerable behavior toward a spouse especially as a manifestation of settled estrangement
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