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indignity
noun
in·dig·ni·ty
in-ˈdig-nə-tē
plural indignities
1
a
: an act that offends against a person's dignity or self-respect : insult
b
: humiliating treatment
2
obsolete
: lack or loss of dignity or honor
Synonyms
Examples of indignity in a Sentence
He remembers all the indignities he had to suffer in the early years of his career.
We must endure the indignities of growing old.
He suffered the indignity of being forced to leave the courtroom.
The indignity of it all was too much to bear.
Recent Examples on the Web
But the marble goddess of love and her companions also suffered the indignities of vandalism and were discarded by being buried not just once but quite possibly twice.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2024
Not a single gay reader in the mid-1950s would have failed to recognize this as the dread of being found out, quickly disguised as the indignity of being misunderstood.
—Mark Harris, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2024
But among the biggest errors many democracies have made since the Cold War is to view individual dignity primarily through the prism of political freedom without being sufficiently attentive to the indignity of corruption, inequality, and a lack of economic opportunity.
—Samantha Power, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2023
Charlie Bradbury became a surrogate little sister for the show’s main men, and her death in season 10 was perhaps the most controversial indignity visited on the women of the show.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 26 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for indignity
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'indignity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Latin indignitat-, indignitas, from indignus
First Known Use
1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Dictionary Entries Near indignity
Cite this Entry
“Indignity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indignity. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Kids Definition
indignity
noun
in·dig·ni·ty
in-ˈdig-nət-ē
plural indignities
1
: an act that injures a person's dignity or self-respect : insult
2
: humiliating treatment
Legal Definition
indignity
noun
in·dig·ni·ty
in-ˈdig-nə-tē
plural indignities
: persistent and intolerable behavior toward a spouse especially as a manifestation of settled estrangement
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