Synonyms of ignoble

ignoble

adjective

ig-ˈnō-bəl 

1

as in low

belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank

an ignoble child who would one day grow up to be a prince among playwrights

Synonyms & Similar Words

• low
• plebeian
• humble
• vulgar
• proletarian
• lowly
• inferior
• lower-class
• low-life
• common
• unwashed
• lumpen
• poor
• lowborn
• mean
• bourgeois
• prole
• baseborn
• middle-class
• simple
• plain
• working-class
• déclassé
• downscale
• down-market

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• noble
• great
• aristocratic
• lofty
• high
• gentle
• grand
• patrician
• genteel
• upper-class
• upper-crust
• illustrious
• eminent
• notable
• prominent
• highborn
• highbred
• blue-blooded
• wellborn

2

as in vile

not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency

such an ignoble act is completely unworthy of a military officer

Synonyms & Similar Words

• vile
• dirty
• nasty
• immoral
• cruel
• contemptible
• ignominious
• dishonorable
• sordid
• vicious
• detestable
• corrupt
• despicable
• wretched
• bad
• execrable
• evil
• low-down
• snide
• base
• mean
• paltry
• low-minded
• low
• currish
• wicked
• foul
• wrong
• iniquitous
• reprehensible
• depraved
• censurable
• perverted
• villainous
• debased
• miscreant
• shameful
• degenerate
• dissolute
• blameworthy
• disgraceful
• blamable
• debauched
• unprincipled
• unworthy
• unscrupulous
• discreditable
• disreputable
• unethical
• atrocious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• noble
• honorable
• high
• virtuous
• lofty
• ethical
• venerable
• upright
• straight
• moral
• righteous
• honest
• excellent
• scrupulous
• good
• principled
• just
• right
• exemplary
• commendable
• high-minded
• proper
• respectable
• decent
• reputable
• blameless
• guiltless
• right-minded
• seemly
• irreproachable
• incorruptible
• unerring
• uncorrupted

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ignoble differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ignoble are abject, mean, and sordid. While all these words mean "being below the normal standards of human decency and dignity," ignoble suggests a loss or lack of some essential high quality of mind or spirit.

an ignoble scramble after material possessions

When would abject be a good substitute for ignoble?

In some situations, the words abject and ignoble are roughly equivalent. However, abject may imply degradation, debasement, or servility.

abject poverty

When could mean be used to replace ignoble?

The words mean and ignoble are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mean suggests small-mindedness, ill temper, or cupidity.

mean and petty satire

When can sordid be used instead of ignoble?

The meanings of sordid and ignoble largely overlap; however, sordid is stronger than all of these in stressing physical or spiritual degradation and abjectness.

a sordid story of murder and revenge

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ignoble

In fact, the abrupt and ignoble death of his fan-favorite character, the hunky werewolf Alcide Herveaux, early in the final season of the HBO show left him eager to make up for it. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 13 Mar. 2024

Australia’s laissez-faire automobile attitude puts it in ignoble company. —Michael E. Miller, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024

Yet the upsides certainly outweigh the risk of an ignoble exit. —Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2024

That admission resulted in Milli Vanilli getting dumped from Arista and having the ignoble asterisk as the only act in Grammy history to have their award taken back. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 Jan. 2024

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