ignominy

American  

[ig-nuh-min-ee, ig-nom-uh-nee] / ˈɪg nəˌmɪn i, ɪgˈnɒm ə ni /

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.

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ignominy British  

/ ˈɪɡnəˌmɪnɪ /

noun

1. disgrace or public shame; dishonour

2. a cause of disgrace; a shameful act

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Related Words

See disgrace.

Other Word Forms

• ignominious adjective
• ignominiously adverb
• ignominiousness noun

Etymology

Origin of ignominy

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

Example Sentences

Rather than ushering the victim to the next life, this shunts him further into obscurity and ignominy.

From The Wall Street Journal

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.

From The Wall Street Journal

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.

From 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.

From BBC

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

From BBC