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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
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
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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 22 Nov. 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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