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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
Annette’s casino job subjects her to many indignities.
—
Rhonda Garelick, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025
At the end of the 1972-73 season an ailing Law suffered the undeserved indignity of learning from a television report that he had been allowed to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer.
—
Sam Pilger, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
During that time, the car suffered the aesthetic indignity of a 2+2 variant, and, for U.S. cars, battering-ram bumpers more suited to a SWAT vehicle than Nissan’s original concept—thanks Department of Transportation (DOT).
—
Robert Ross, Robb Report, 10 Jan. 2025
Carter suffered the rare indignity of a powerful challenge from within his party mounted by Sen. Ted Kennedy and lost his reelection in a sweeping landslide to incoming President Ronald Reagan.
—
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for indignity 
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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 18 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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