ignominy
Meaning: Public shame, disgrace, or dishonour, especially as a consequence of humiliating conduct or failure. A state of deep humiliation.
Ignominy suggests a particularly public and lasting form of disgrace — not a private embarrassment but a humiliation witnessed and remembered by others. It is stronger than 'shame' and implies that the person's reputation has been significantly damaged. The word is common in sports journalism, political commentary, and historical writing, and collocates with 'suffer,' 'face,' 'endure,' 'total,' and 'public.' The adjective 'ignominious' is equally prevalent, often modifying 'defeat,' 'end,' or 'exit.'
Examples
- The team suffered the ignominy of relegation after a dismal season in which they won just four matches. 球队在惨淡的赛季中仅赢了四场比赛,遭受了降级的屈辱。El equipo sufrió la ignominia del descenso tras una temporada desastrosa en la que solo ganó cuatro partidos.チームはわずか4勝という惨憺たるシーズンの末、降格という屈辱を味わった。팀은 겨우 4승에 그친 참담한 시즌 끝에 강등이라는 치욕을 맛보았다.
- The minister resigned to avoid the ignominy of being dismissed, though the damage to his reputation was already done. 那位部长辞职以避免被解雇的耻辱,尽管对他声誉的损害已经造成了。El ministro dimitió para evitar la ignominia de ser destituido, aunque el daño a su reputación ya estaba hecho.その大臣は解任の恥辱を避けるために辞任したが、評判への打撃はすでに取り返しのつかないものだった。그 장관은 해임이라는 굴욕을 피하고자 사임했으나, 평판에 대한 타격은 이미 돌이킬 수 없었다.
- Having led the company to the brink of bankruptcy, the chief executive departed in ignominy. 在将公司带到破产边缘之后,首席执行官在耻辱中离去。Tras llevar a la empresa al borde de la quiebra, el director ejecutivo se marchó sumido en la ignominia.会社を倒産寸前まで追い込んだ後、その最高経営責任者は不名誉のうちに去った。회사를 파산 직전까지 몰고 간 후, 그 최고경영자는 불명예 속에 떠났다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: general, professional
Tone: negative
Origin & History
From Latin ignominia (disgrace, dishonour), from in- (not) and nomen, gnomen (name, reputation). Entered English in the 16th century, consistently retaining its sense of public humiliation.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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