Indignity refers to treatmentthe way someone is handled or cared for by others, behavior, or an event that insults a person’s dignity or self-respect. It suggests humiliationa strong feeling of embarrassment and lowered pride, disrespect, or a painful loss of statusa person’s social position or rank in relation to others.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌɪnˈdɪɡnɪti/
Easy pronunciation: in-DIG-ni-tee (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the second syllable, with secondary stress on the first syllable.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Indignity Meaning
a humiliating insult or disrespectful treatment
Part of speech: noun
Definition: an insult or slight that damages someone's dignity or self-respect
Example: She endured the indignity of being searched in public.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- humiliation — A strong substitute when the focus is on being shamed or degraded.
- insult — Works when the indignity is a disrespectful act or remark.
- slight — Fits when the indignity is a disrespectful snub or dismissal.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Indignity Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- humiliation
- insult
- slight
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using indignity to mean dignity itself.
- Using indignity for any unpleasant event, even when there is no sense of insult or humiliation.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does indignity mean?
An indignity is something that insults or humiliates a person, often by damaging their sense of dignity or self-respect.
Is indignity positive or negative?
Negative. It refers to rude, humiliating, or disrespectful treatment.
What is a simple synonym for indignity?
Humiliation is often the closest simple synonym, though insult or slight may fit in some contexts.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.