ignominy

USAGE SUMMARY

'ignominy' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to the shame and public disgrace associated with someone or something. For example: The politician's financial scandal caused her great ignominy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On the contrary, making them accessible ensures that state aid arrives to those who have a right to it…Helping them isn't ignominious, the ignominy is trying to hide who is helped and trying to keep the channelling of public funds secret.

The Economist

His day ended in ignominy: it's not easy to act the suave toff with the second assistant director wedged between your legs, working the foot pedals with his hands.

The Guardian

So next week, on their private beaches, the players will wonder what kind of punishment awaits a Brazilian who has exposed his nation to ridicule and ignominy on a day when the world had gathered to watch them showing off.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet, despite his frailty and air of innate sadness, he bore the ignominy of this parody of a Psycho with quiet dignity, giving each scene his best effort, never complaining, never talking about the old days, and happy to chat with the other actors.

The Guardian

Many of the Sun's "victims" – politicians and celebrities – deserved the ignominy heaped on them by the paper.

The Guardian

In normal political systems the controversies engulfing these leaders would in all likelihood result in them either stepping down to spend more time with their families or resignation with ignominy.

The Guardian

Nor do I think it remotely likely that they wished to protect Savile from ignominy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Spartak Sofia (1951), Benfica (1977-78), Galatasaray (1985-86) and Red Star Belgrade (2007-08) hall all suffered the ignominy of finishing second in their respective leagues despite going undefeated all season.

The Guardian - Sport

Facing such ignominy and hardship, why has Pujan chosen to stay in Mumbai, so far from his family, for more than 20 years?

The Guardian

After all, Japan came close to invading their country during the war; Australian prisoners-of-war were brutally treated in Japanese camps; and only a couple of weeks ago Mr Abe had brought ignominy upon himself by denying that foreign "comfort women" had been coerced into working in wartime military brothels.

The Economist

Ignominy should follow.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ignominy" when you want to emphasize the deep shame and public dishonor associated with a particular action or situation. It's appropriate for serious contexts where reputation and respect are significantly affected.

Common error

Avoid using "ignominy" to describe minor embarrassing situations. Reserve it for events that carry significant public shame and lasting dishonor, not just fleeting moments of awkwardness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ignominy" is as a noun. It refers to a state of deep disgrace or dishonor. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showcasing its use in describing situations causing public shame. For example: "His day ended in ignominy."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ignominy" signifies deep public disgrace and dishonor. Ludwig AI confirms that it functions primarily as a noun and is used to express strong disapproval, often in formal contexts such as news and media. While grammatically correct, it's best reserved for situations where significant shame and loss of reputation are involved, avoiding its use for minor embarrassments. Related terms include "shameful disgrace" and "utter humiliation", offering nuanced alternatives for varying degrees of intensity. Therefore, consider "ignominy" when aiming to capture severe, public-facing shame.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shameful disgrace

Emphasizes both the shame and the dishonor associated with an action or situation.

utter humiliation

Highlights the feeling of being deeply embarrassed and degraded.

deep dishonor

Focuses on the loss of respect and honor.

public disgrace

Stresses the public nature of the shame.

loss of face

Implies a loss of reputation, particularly in a social or professional context.

stain on one's reputation

Indicates a lasting negative impact on someone's good name.

fall from grace

Suggests a decline from a position of respect or favor.

humiliating defeat

Highlights the disgrace of a loss or failure.

discredit

Focuses on the loss of credibility and trust.

opprobrium

Signifies public disgrace arising from shameful conduct.

FAQs

How can I use "ignominy" in a sentence?

Use "ignominy" to describe a situation or event that causes deep shame and public disgrace. For example, "The politician faced "public ignominy" after the scandal was revealed."

What are some alternatives to the word "ignominy"?

You can use alternatives such as "disgrace", "shame", "humiliation", or "dishonor" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "ignominy" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "ignominy" is a formal word and is more suited for writing or serious discussions rather than casual conversation. Simpler words like "embarrassment" or "shame" may be more appropriate in informal settings.

What's the difference between "ignominy" and "indignity"?

"Ignominy" refers to public shame and disgrace, often resulting from a specific action or event. "Indignity", on the other hand, refers to treatment or circumstances that cause one to feel shame or a loss of dignity.