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 next

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 Khan isn’t the first Pakistani prime minister whose legal ignominy is tied to jewelry. —

Rafia Zakaria, Time, 6 Nov. 2025 By their lofty standards, Madrid endured a dismal European campaign last term, suffering the ignominy of having to go through the play-offs to qualify for the Round of 16 before being trounced 5-1 on aggregate by Arsenal in the quarter-finals. —

Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 Sometime this week – or next week, at the latest – Riley Greene will end the latest era of ignominy for the Detroit Tigers. —

Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 26 Aug. 2025 Death, ignominy, loss of my home, my land, my people and endless wandering. —

Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ignominy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignominy

Noun

Generally regarded as being in the moderate wing of the left-leaning party, Streeting was friendly with Peter Mandelson, the once-influential Labour figure now in disgrace over his friendship with Epstein.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 May 2026
Their head coach for qualifying, Steve McClaren, resigned immediately in disgrace, and Speid—a certified accountant who’s coached in Jamaica’s domestic league for more than a decade—took over.

— Franklin Leonard, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026

Definition of disgrace

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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 20 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of ignominy

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