ignominious defeat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ignominious defeat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a loss that is humiliating or disgraceful, often in a competitive context such as sports or politics. Example: "The team faced an ignominious defeat, losing the match by a staggering score of 10-0."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Irving rightly suffered an ignominious defeat and was bankrupted.

Independent

That move ended in ignominious defeat for Murdoch.

The Guardian

The line between glory and ignominious defeat is so fine, even for the best.

The Economist

The party went down to ignominious defeat with just 27% of the vote.

Independent

The media engine is bigger, the pitfalls deeper, the risk of ignominious defeat is tangible.

The New York Times

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

The Guardian - Sport

Nothing could save the anti-European Libertas party from an ignominious defeat.

The Guardian - Opinion

In France, President François Hollande had decided not to run for a second term, fearing an ignominious defeat.

The New York Times

"The choice was between retreat without honor and a gamble between ignominious defeat and dubious victory," the report said.

The New York Times

The result was an extensive and ignominious defeat, and the Germans were forced unwillingly to extricate him from its consequences.

Britannica

Kim Il Sung declared victory nonetheless, and boasted of "inflicting an ignominious defeat on U.S. imperialism and its running dogs".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a loss, consider the emotional impact and choose "ignominious defeat" to convey a sense of shame or humiliation, rather than simply stating a loss.

Common error

Avoid using "ignominious defeat" when a neutral term like "loss" or "setback" is more appropriate. The term carries a strong negative connotation of shame and dishonor, which might be unsuitable for objective reporting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ignominious defeat" primarily functions as a noun phrase describing a specific type of loss. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct. The adjective "ignominious" modifies the noun "defeat", adding a layer of meaning indicating shame or disgrace.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Sports

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ignominious defeat" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that describes a loss marked by shame and disgrace. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread in reputable sources, particularly in News & Media. While the phrase effectively conveys strong disapproval of a loss, it's essential to consider the context and avoid overuse in neutral reporting. Alternatives such as "humiliating defeat" or "shameful defeat" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Therefore, understanding the subtle connotations helps writers to appropriately describe various types of failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

humiliating defeat

This alternative emphasizes the shame and embarrassment associated with the defeat.

shameful defeat

This alternative highlights the disgracefulness of the loss.

disgraceful loss

This alternative focuses on the dishonorable aspect of the defeat.

humiliating loss

Similar to "humiliating defeat", this option underscores the element of embarrassment.

crushing defeat

This alternative emphasizes the magnitude and overwhelming nature of the defeat.

utter failure

This alternative shifts the focus from defeat to complete lack of success, carrying a strong negative connotation.

resounding defeat

This alternative highlights the decisiveness and clarity of the defeat.

catastrophic failure

This alternative implies a severe and damaging defeat, with long-lasting consequences.

abject failure

This alternative suggests a complete and miserable failure.

bitter disappointment

This alternative downplays the notion of defeat, focusing instead on the intense feeling of letdown.

FAQs

What does "ignominious defeat" mean?

An "ignominious defeat" signifies a loss that is not only a failure but also deeply shameful and disgraceful. It suggests a humiliating end to an endeavor.

How can I use "ignominious defeat" in a sentence?

You can use "ignominious defeat" to describe a situation where someone or something suffers a humiliating loss, such as, "The team's performance led to an "ignominious defeat" in the championship game."

What are some alternatives to "ignominious defeat"?

You can use alternatives like "humiliating defeat", "shameful defeat", or "disgraceful loss" depending on the specific context.

What makes a defeat "ignominious" rather than just a regular defeat?

A regular defeat simply means losing. An "ignominious defeat" implies that the loss was accompanied by shame, dishonor, or public disgrace, often due to poor performance or scandalous circumstances.