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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

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.
Recent Examples of ignoble Within hours, your unscrupulous corporate rivals bask in ignoble victory. Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025 Elegy thus belongs to an old and ignoble genre, one which caricatures the hillbilly for an audience’s titillation. Sarah Jones, Vulture, 15 July 2024 Failing Forward Rather than retreat from this ignoble setback, Lee doubled down on his initial vision. Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025 But for those who aren’t Third Reich completists, nor have any interest in historical fantasy that does little beyond embellishing Mengele’s ignoble reputation, this intellectually vacuous exercise can be tough to stomach — despite how well put together the whole thing is. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for ignoble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignoble
Adjective
  • Because of its moisture needs, it is best planted near a body of water, such as a pond or streambed, or in low, damp spots.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 6 July 2025
  • Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • The tweets, a vile departure from Elmo’s often inspiring and motivational social media cadence, were sent on July 13 and promptly taken down.
    Zack Sharf, Variety, 14 July 2025
  • Michael Kracker, the chair of the Erie County Republican Committee, posted the image on X, formerly Twitter, describing it as vile.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Below that sits the pedestrian CLK 500 and plebeian CLK 350.
    Jeremy Korzeniewski, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Across the lake, on the plebeian side, up the shoreline a mile or so, in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach, stand twin 32-story towers dubbed Trump Plaza of the Palm Beaches.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Use the packing cubes to separate clean and dirty clothes for the duration of your cruise.
    Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2025
  • Employees get their hands dirty in the intro course by learning how to prompt, then move to more advanced courses on building custom GPTs and agents.
    Melissa Daimler, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • His work is characterized by deep empathy, personal involvement, and quiet, humble observation.
    PhotoVogue, Vogue, 10 July 2025
  • Other successes like Mark Cuban and Keke Palmer, who similarly came from humble beginnings, echo his frugal habits and anxieties.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Her somewhat implausible problem is that her bad feelings—her irritation, her boredom—never register as such because of her beauty, her wealth, and her pedigree; so great is her beauty that even her nastiest moods feel like a sunny glow to others.
    Claire Jarvis, New Yorker, 8 July 2025
  • But use kind humor, not nasty or deprecating humor.
    Davia Temin, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • Nan’s rebellion was never loud or vulgar but always quietly confident and effortlessly elegant.
    Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • The comics were often dismissed as a vulgar form, but the bad joke of our superhero-movie culture is that most of it is a vulgarization of the comics.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Mann Act, also known as the White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910, is a federal law that prohibits the interstate or foreign transportation of individuals for prostitution or other immoral activities.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 3 July 2025
  • What Ukraine needs now is the time, tools, and space to prove to the Kremlin that an occupation is not just immoral but incompatible with Russia’s long-term security needs.
    Michael Carpenter, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ignoble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignoble. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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