Word
indignity
Phoneticsin·dig·ni·ty, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪnˈdɪɡnəˌti/
UK/ɪndˈɪɡnɪti/
Countable noun
Definition
n. something that makes you feel embarrassed, small, or not respected, like being shouted at in front of other people.
n. treatment, remarks, or conditions that humiliate or degrade, depriving someone of dignity or self-respect.
Examples
“Being shouted at feels like an indignity.”
“The elderly patient suffered the indignity of waiting hours in a crowded corridor for help.”
“After decades of public service, he found the indignity of the security search more wounding than any political defeat he had endured.”
Examples
simple
“Being shouted at feels like an indignity.”
contextual
“The elderly patient suffered the indignity of waiting hours in a crowded corridor for help.”
complex
“After decades of public service, he found the indignity of the security search more wounding than any political defeat he had endured.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “indignity” in context.
Verb
01. bear indignity
“They bore the indignity of low-paid work with quiet pride.”
verb + noun
02. bristle at indignity
“He bristled at the indignity of being asked to show ID.”
verb + prep + noun
03. endure indignity
“He endured the indignity of demotion without complaint.”
verb + noun
04. indignity stings
“The indignity still stings years after his public dismissal.”
noun + verb
05. inflict indignity
“To inflict such indignity on grieving families is unforgivable.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. daily indignity
“For many refugees, queuing for food is a daily indignity.”
adj + noun
07. final indignity
“Being dismissed by email was the final indignity after ten years of service.”
adj + noun
08. petty indignity
“Queuing for hours in the rain is a petty indignity many fans accept.”
adj + noun
09. public indignity
“Being scolded by her manager was a public indignity she never forgot.”
adj + noun
Noun
10. litany of indignity
“The memoir recounts a litany of indignity suffered in exile.”
noun + prep + noun
11. endure daily indignities with dignity
“She endured daily indignities with dignity throughout the ordeal.”
12. heap indignity upon indignity
“The tabloids heaped indignity upon indignity with daily headlines.”
Usage
Often used in the plural for repeated humiliations; commonly followed by 'of' to name the humiliating situation.
Real-World Examples
“His beloved cat Bella died recently, aged 17, and the indignities of old age mean a new carpet is in order.” “After hours of indignity, they dream of their own international airport.” “The indignities of acquired immune deficiency syndrome, which is spread primarily by blood and semen, do not end with death, according to relatives and friends of the victims, clergymen, advocacy groups and human rights officials.” “There were numerous indignities: Armed guards accompanied manacled hostages to toilets.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin indignitās, indignitātem. Equivalent to indign + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/indignity