indignity

noun

in·​dig·​ni·​ty in-ˈdig-nə-tē How to pronounce indignity (audio)
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

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
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.
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 

Word History

Etymology

Latin indignitat-, indignitas, from indignus

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of indignity was in 1581

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 How to pronounce indignity (audio)
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 How to pronounce indignity (audio)
plural indignities
: persistent and intolerable behavior toward a spouse especially as a manifestation of settled estrangement

More from Merriam-Webster on indignity

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