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

Bush, had proclaimed the birth of a “new world order,” and the less said about that ignominious phrase, the better.

From Salon

The number of whales getting tangled up in fishing nets, line, buoys and other miscellaneous rope off the coasts of the United States hit a record high in 2024, with California taking the ignominious lead.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Related Words

• disgraceful 
• embarrassing www.thesaurus.com
• shameful