ignominious

[ig-nuh-min-ee-uhs]

adjective

1. marked by or attended with ignominy; discreditable; humiliating.

   an ignominious retreat.

   Synonyms: shameful, dishonorable, disgraceful, degrading

2. bearing or deserving ignominy; contemptible.

   Synonyms: ignoble, despicable

Other Word Forms

• ignominiously adverb
• ignominiousness noun
• nonignominious adjective
• nonignominiously adverb
• nonignominiousness noun
• unignominious adjective
• unignominiously adverb
• unignominiousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ignominious¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Latin word ignōminiōsus. See ignominy, -ous

Example Sentences

This was the book described on the National Museum of the American Latino website, prompting the ignominious “Californio” mention in the White House news release.

From Los Angeles Times

England could be in the ignominious position of having to go through a qualifier against the likes of Netherlands, Scotland and the USA.

From BBC

Ebert felt that his biggest hit wasn’t worthy of the ignominious honor.

From Salon

No movie deserves the ignominious burial that Charles Burnett’s 1999 romantic drama originally received.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, Yoon has earned the ignominious distinction of being the first sitting South Korean president to be detained in a criminal investigation.

From Salon

Related Words

• disgraceful 
• embarrassing www.thesaurus.com
• shameful