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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 The night got worse from there, though many fans spared themselves the ignominy to follow. — Staff Report, Twin Cities, 1 Apr. 2026 Covered for the ignominy of his historically woeful four-for-51 hitting performance. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026 The Wizards carried a 10-game losing streak into Saturday and were four days removed from the historic ignominy of allowing 83 points to Miami’s Bam Adebayo. — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026 Khan isn’t the first Pakistani prime minister whose legal ignominy is tied to jewelry. — Rafia Zakaria, Time, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ignominy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignominy

Noun

The vandalism that occurred is an utter disgrace and will not be tolerated.

— Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
After Nixon resigned in disgrace, President Ford pardoned him, blocking any chance of prosecution.

— Elizabeth Holtzman, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of disgrace

Noun

Secrecy around taking a GLP-1 can also contribute to shame and stigma about medication.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Shame on Darien and shame on Little League Baseball for allowing a rule to intentionally walk a 12-year-old, not once but a couple of times.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of shame

Browse Nearby Words

ignominious

ignominy

ignorable

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ignominy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignominy. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of ignominy

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on ignominy

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

oxymoron

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'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?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

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

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes