indignity

noun

in·​dig·​ni·​ty in-ˈdig-nə-tē How to pronounce indignity (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In Luca Guadagnino’s incredibly insightful adaptation, Daniel Craig plays Bill Lee, the pseudonym Burroughs used to spare his wealthy family from the indignity of being related to the author of a lurid paperback called Junkie (1953). Damon Wise, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2024 The external chaos was leaking into his personal life, manifesting itself into a series of indignities that did little to quell his anxiety about a country turned upside down. Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2024 Yet when Roy warns Donald against investing in Atlantic City casinos, Donald quickly turns on him, pushing his mentor into virtual exile that involves hurling verbal insults and inflicting practical indignities. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024 The Dutch couple subject the Danes to a series of escalating indignities: encouraging vegetarian Louise to eat meat, sticking them with a hefty restaurant bill, criticizing Agnes in front of her mother. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for indignity 

Word History

Etymology

Latin indignitat-, indignitas, from indignus

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of indignity was in 1581

Dictionary Entries Near indignity

Cite this Entry

“Indignity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indignity. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

indignity

noun
in·​dig·​ni·​ty in-ˈdig-nət-ē How to pronounce indignity (audio)
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 How to pronounce indignity (audio)
plural indignities
: persistent and intolerable behavior toward a spouse especially as a manifestation of settled estrangement

More from Merriam-Webster on indignity

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