ignoble

adjective

ig-ˈnō-bəl How to pronounce ignoble (audio)
Definition of ignoblenext
1
as in low
belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank an ignoble child who would one day grow up to be a prince among playwrights

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vile
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency such an ignoble act is completely unworthy of a military officer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ignoble differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ignoble are abject, mean, and sordid. While all these words mean "being below the normal standards of human decency and dignity," ignoble suggests a loss or lack of some essential high quality of mind or spirit.

an ignoble scramble after material possessions

When would abject be a good substitute for ignoble?

In some situations, the words abject and ignoble are roughly equivalent. However, abject may imply degradation, debasement, or servility.

abject poverty

When could mean be used to replace ignoble?

The words mean and ignoble are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mean suggests small-mindedness, ill temper, or cupidity.

mean and petty satire

When can sordid be used instead of ignoble?

The meanings of sordid and ignoble largely overlap; however, sordid is stronger than all of these in stressing physical or spiritual degradation and abjectness.

a sordid story of murder and revenge

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 ignoble The most memorable, and notorious, moment from the race was the ignoble exit of Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell. — Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 27 May 2026 That ignoble mini-streak ends this year. — Glen Weldon, NPR, 14 May 2026 Here, however, Makowsky examines a purely ignoble figure who feels entitled without accomplishing a thing. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025 This is an ignoble plan that cites dubious science while elevating the entertainment of a handful of hunters over the revulsion of most Floridians. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for ignoble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignoble
  1. low
  2. vile
  3. plebeian
  4. dirty
  5. humble
  6. nasty
  7. vulgar
  8. immoral
Adjective
  • Achane will also go from a QB with one of the league’s highest checkdown rates to a QB with one of the lowest.
    — Jess Bryant, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • This week, Australian biotechnology company Mesolab announced that its Phase 3 trial of rexlemestrocel-L for chronic low back pain (CLBP) now moves beyond the patient-treatment stage.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of low
Adjective
  • Disgusted that any adult would ever consider exploiting a child in such a vile and predatory way.
    — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • His tenure came to an end when video surfaced of a drunken Galliano berating other customers at a Paris bar with vile antisemitic insults.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of vile
Adjective
  • Linen and cotton, cooling garments, were too plebeian; the people posed nobly for street-style social-media accounts in leather jackets and low-slung jorts.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 27 June 2026
  • This one is about a regular old guy, a hedge knight in the plebeian population of Westeros, just trying to get by in a world that isn't kind to the common and poor.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 13 Jan. 2026
Definition of plebeian
Adjective
  • By the time her wedding day arrived on Saturday, all that was left for Jordyn to do was take it all in—and get her dress dirty at some point along the way.
    — Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Recently, my dad discovered these non-slip couch covers that protect the upholstery on their couches from dirty paws.
    — Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of dirty
Adjective
  • The duties cover products including alcohol, dairy goods, cement and even the humble hockey stick.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Rooted in sustainable dining, Fallow’s approach is about elevating humble produce to thrilling new heights.
    — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of humble
Adjective
  • The former Cardinal is an absolute brawler with over 90 NFL starts who brings the exact nasty, tone-setting violence this interior unit needs.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Greg and Denise are having some marital issues, but everybody needs to put other concerns aside to stay alive with nasty raptors and other hungry beasties around.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of nasty
Adjective
  • But the school’s dress code prohibits messages that are lewd, indecent, vulgar or profane.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Lonnie is loud, obnoxious, and vulgar in ways that rankle traditional golfers.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 July 2026
Definition of vulgar
Adjective
  • When Russians embrace the Eurasian narrative, they are also engaged in the political project of rejecting Europe and the West, which Putin and his allies deride as decadent, declining, and immoral.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • In the realms of art, literature, film, and television, words and images that would once have been considered indecent, offensive, or immoral are now commonplace, especially in the West.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of immoral

Browse Nearby Words

igniting
ignoble
ignobly
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Ignoble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignoble. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on ignoble

Nglish: Translation of ignoble for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of august

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All