ignominious
Adjective
Hard difficulty
What does “ignominious” mean?
adjective.deserving or causing public disgrace or shame.
SAT Usage
this term often appears in contexts involving historical events, personal failures, or moral dilemmas, emphasizing the profound impact of shame on reputation and identity. It suggests a deeper level of disgrace than mere embarrassment, contrasting with words like "shameful" by highlighting the public and lasting consequences of the actions described.
Common Confusions
Ignominious implies a deep and public disgrace with lasting consequences, while shameful usually suggests a less severe level of embarrassment that may not carry the same weight of public scrutiny.
Do not choose ignominious if the context emphasizes honor or respect rather than deserving or causing public disgrace or shame.
Example Sentences
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The team suffered an ignominious defeat in front of their home crowd.