ignominy

[ig-nuh-min-ee, ig-nom-uh-nee]

noun

plural

ignominies 

1. disgrace; dishonor; public contempt.

   Synonyms: opprobrium, obloquy, shame, discredit, disrepute
   Antonyms: honor, credit

2. shameful or dishonorable quality or conduct or an instance of this.

ignominy

/ ˈɪɡnəˌmɪnɪ /

noun

1. disgrace or public shame; dishonour

2. a cause of disgrace; a shameful act

Other Word Forms

• ignominious adjective
• ignominiously adverb
• ignominiousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ignominy¹

1530–40; < Latin ignōminia, equivalent to ig- (for in- in- ³, apparently by association with ignōbilis ignoble, ignōtus unknown, etc.; cognomen ) + nōmin- (stem of nōmen ) name + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of ignominy¹

C16: from Latin ignōminia disgrace, from ig- (see _in- ²) + nōmen name, reputation

Synonym Study

See disgrace.

Example Sentences

The Jets are no strangers to ignominy, but the Glenn era has started off with a depth of misery that’s a first even for them.

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In the end, the grand lady sides with her child, making an appearance at the party and diminishing the perceived ignominy tied to ending a marriage.

Read more on Salon

Now that Celtic's doomsday scenario has come true - ignominy in Almaty - there should be a reappraisal of the club's most egregious and self-inflicted exits in Champions League qualifiers in the last dozen seasons or so.

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Supporters have then had to deal with the ignominy of the collapse of two deals for high-profile transfer targets.

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Although the clash between acts was tough, none of them suffered the ignominy of a small crowd.

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