IGNOMINIOUS

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "IGNOMINIOUS" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is deserving of shame or disgrace, often in a context where someone's actions or behavior are being criticized. Example: "The politician's ignominious downfall was a result of the scandal that rocked his career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their trip to Russia will go a fair way to deciding whether they will top Group F, and to avoid defeat they will surely have to improve on their last away performance, an ignominious 2-1 win over Luxembourg.

The Guardian - Sport

But even now the Conservatives are unable to acknowledge the widespread emotional trauma that their union-busting embrace of globalisation induced, and the ignominious end they delivered to a long and heroic working tradition.

The Guardian - Opinion

As uncomfortable as that experience was, still more troubling was his family's reaction to the first volume, a mordant reflection on the ignominious demise of Knausgaard's father.

The Guardian - Books

No one gave them a prayer in the Premier League, everyone predicted instant and ignominious failure, yet in that first season the Latics hit the ground running.

The Guardian - Sport

He presided over a period in which the very phrase "trade union" seemed to evoke ignominious response and even ridicule.

The Guardian

If his words are to stand as anything more than a sick joke, the government must immediately withdraw these ignominious pitches and allow this country to retain at least some shred of its once proud reputation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ignominious defeat has been turned into honourable defeat by Victor Trumper, Walter Hammond and several others.

The Guardian - Sport

If Allister were to succeed in harnessing enough unionist discontent over Ian Paisley's decision to enter into a power-sharing government with Sinn Féin and snatching the seat for the TUV it would mark the ignominious end of a remarkable political career.

The Guardian

The hosts made an ignominious exit from the tournament in a thrilling 7-1 defeatoto Germany that made the mighty pentacampeão look like a Sunday beach team.

The Economist

But in the most important of all, Uttar Pradesh (UP), which has a population of 200m, the size of Brazil, Congress came an ignominious fourth.

The Economist

Mr Grasso tried to stem the tide of outrage by agreeing to forgo another $48m due to him, but that appeased no one, and he was forced into an ignominious resignation.A few days later it was the turn of Josef Ackermann, the Swiss boss of Germany's Deutsche Bank.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the emotional impact of "ignominious"—it implies not just failure, but also deep shame and dishonor. Ensure this aligns with the intended tone of your piece.

Common error

Avoid using "ignominious" to describe simple mistakes or minor failures. The word carries a strong connotation of disgrace, and its overuse can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic. Opt for milder terms like "unfortunate" or "disappointing" when describing less severe situations.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "ignominious" primarily functions to modify nouns, describing a state or event characterized by shame or disgrace. Ludwig AI confirms its use to add a critical and negative tone to a description.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

44%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ignominious" is a grammatically sound adjective used to describe something deserving of public shame or disgrace. As demonstrated by the examples in Ludwig, it is most commonly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. It's usage is relatively frequent, meaning that you can find a lot of sentences with this word.

When using "ignominious", be sure to consider its heavy connotation of shame and dishonor, avoiding overuse in contexts where milder terms would suffice. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English, making it an effective word to add a strong critical tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disgraceful

Implies a loss of reputation or respect due to dishonorable behavior, similar to "ignominious" but perhaps broader in scope.

shameful

Focuses on the feeling of shame that something evokes, highlighting the moral or ethical failing.

humiliating

Emphasizes the experience of being publicly embarrassed or degraded.

dishonorable

Highlights a lack of honor or integrity, focusing on the violation of ethical principles.

degrading

Suggests a reduction in someone's status or dignity.

inglorious

Implies a lack of glory or honor, often in the context of failure or defeat.

opprobrious

Describes something that expresses scorn or condemnation, highlighting public disapproval.

disreputable

Focuses on having a bad reputation or being held in low esteem by others.

scandalous

Emphasizes the public outrage and shock caused by a particular event or action.

discreditable

Suggests something that damages one's credibility or reputation, often due to unethical or improper behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "ignominious" in a sentence?

Use "ignominious" to describe situations or events marked by shame or disgrace. For example, "The team suffered an "ignominious defeat" after a series of errors."

What are some synonyms for "ignominious"?

Alternatives for "ignominious" include "disgraceful", "shameful", "humiliating", and "dishonorable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "ignominious" and "disgraceful"?

While both "ignominious" and "disgraceful" describe something deserving of shame, "ignominious" often implies a public and humiliating loss of reputation, whereas "disgraceful" is a broader term that can apply to any dishonorable behavior.

Is it correct to say someone had an "ignominious" end?

Yes, it is correct. "Ignominious end" describes a conclusion to someone's career or life that is marked by disgrace or shame. For instance, "The dictator met an "ignominious end" after being overthrown."