ignominious

The definition of ignominious is something that is contemptible or degrading, or that makes you deserving of public shame.

(adjective)

An example of ignominious is a crushing defeat in an election that shames your party.

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See ignominious in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  1. characterized by or bringing on ignominy; shameful; dishonorable; disgraceful
  2. contemptible; despicable
  3. degrading; humiliating

Origin: Fr ignominieux < L ignominiosus

Related Forms:

See ignominious in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
  1. Marked by shame or disgrace: “It was an ignominious end … as a desperate mutiny by a handful of soldiers blossomed into full-scale revolt” (Angus Deming).
  2. Deserving disgrace or shame; despicable.
  3. Degrading; debasing: “The young people huddled with their sodden gritty towels and ignominious goosebumps inside the gray-shingled bathhouse” (John Updike).

Related Forms:

  • igˌno·minˈi·ous·ly adverb
  • igˌno·minˈi·ous·ness noun

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