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Definition of ignoblenext
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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 This is an ignoble plan that cites dubious science while elevating the entertainment of a handful of hunters over the revulsion of most Floridians. Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2025 My focus is down to the ignoble little health annoyances that seem to cap and even eclipse a major setback. John Updike, New Yorker, 11 July 2025 And bugs’ ignoble practices exert fascination on poets too. Hannah Brooks-Motl june 2, Literary Hub, 2 June 2025 The janky but oddly addictive Friday the 13th: The Game goes offline for good at the end of the year — an ignoble but perhaps inevitable fate for an interactive slasher that’s been plagued by problems since its rocky launch in 2017. A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for ignoble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignoble
Adjective
  • The president argued that inflation was already low enough to start cutting rates.
    CBS News, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
  • There’s something motivating about having this low, electronic drumbeat pushing you along, trying to go faster and faster and faster.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Removing a vile, brutal, and corrupt president without a clear transition plan, and relying on his former regime to deliver if for you, is not supporting democracy.
    Washington Post, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Grok, the chatbot of Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI, published sexualized images of children as its guardrails seem to have failed when it was prompted with vile user requests.
    The Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
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
  • The checklist for cleaning the kitchen was probably just washing dirty dishes, wiping down countertops, and mopping the floors.
    Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty.
    Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Singer Island has a humble personality, with more reverence for its natural beauty and less regard for glamorous perfection than its southern neighbor.
    Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
  • This humble ingredient is a powerhouse in all kinds of cooking.
    Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Richards has missed Palace’s previous four fixtures after picking up a nasty foot injury against Leeds in the Premier League just before Christmas.
    Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Ra Shaya Kyle, feeling miserable with a nasty cold that kept her out of practice for two days, scored a career-high 30 points to lead the University of Miami women’s basketball team to an 89-73 win over rival Florida State University on Sunday afternoon at the Watsco Center.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Although the Ripken card launched many conspiracy theories as to whether the inclusion of its vulgar phrase was truly a mistake or a Fleer marketing ploy, there is a long history of errors making it through quality control in sports card production.
    Tyler Holzhammer, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
  • The joke swap during last year's Christmas episode went to some particularly jaw-dropping places after Che made Jost read a vulgar joke about Johansson.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to being immoral, CFA’s support for BDS likely violates state law, AB 2844, which prohibits California from contracting with entities that engage in discrimination, including against Jews or Israelis.
    Mark Pinkert, Oc Register, 23 Dec. 2025
  • The film follows the deliciously immoral, widowed Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale), who maneuvers, deceives and seduces her way through London and across her relatives' country estates in an effort to find a wealthy husband for herself and her daughter, Frederica (Morfydd Clark).
    Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ignoble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignoble. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

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