indignity

American  

[in-dig-ni-tee] / ɪnˈdɪg nɪ ti /

noun

plural

indignities

1. an injury to a person's dignity; slighting or contemptuous treatment; humiliating affront, insult, or injury.

   Synonyms:

   outrage

2. Obsolete. disgrace or disgraceful action.

---

indignity British  

/ ɪnˈdɪɡnɪtɪ /

noun

1. injury to one's self-esteem or dignity; humiliation

2. obsolete disgrace or disgraceful character or conduct

---

Related Words

See insult.

Etymology

Origin of indignity

First recorded in 1575–85; from Latin indignitās “unworthiness,” equivalent to indign(us) “undeserving, unworthy”( indign ) + -itās -ity

Example Sentences

Even a draw would ensure they do not suffer the indignity of a clean sweep – England have been beaten 5-0 on three previous Ashes tours.

From BBC

Yet I must suffer the annoyance—and the implied indignity.

From The Wall Street Journal

They accept the indignities of age as they accept everything, with unblinking eyes and a saving humor.

From The Wall Street Journal

Far from an indignity, I thought it lent a certain gravitas otherwise absent from my banal demeanor.

From The Wall Street Journal

Over the years, losers have suffered the indignity and stress of taking the SAT, performing a stand-up comedy routine that their friends wrote, or spending up to 24 hours in a Waffle House.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• injustice
• insult
• opprobrium