ignoble
adjective
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The word noble, in addition to referring to someone born to aristocratic ranks, can also be used to describe someone of outstanding character. That word first appeared in English in the 13th century, and its antonym, ignoble, came about two centuries later. Ignoble derives via Middle English and Middle French from the Latin prefix in- ("not") and the Old Latin gnobilis ("noble"). Originally, ignoble described someone born to common or plebeian origins, but by the late 16th century it had come to describe people of dishonorable character, or the actions performed by such people.
Synonyms
- baseborn
- common
- humble
- inferior
- low
- lowborn
- lower-class
- low-life
- lowly
- lumpen
- mean
- plebeian
- prole
- proletarian
- unwashed
- vulgar
Example Sentences
Francine Prose, Harper’s Magazine , 22 June 2022 Pitkin’s narrative is not a tidy narrative of the noble workers defeating their ignoble bosses. Micah Uetricht, The New Republic, 4 Aug. 2022 Teenage characters tend to become like Will Robinson or cousin Oliver [the ignoble Brady Bunch character who has since become a TV trope]. Dawn Ennis, Forbes, 6 May 2022 The 2016 election gave us the ignoble spectacle of Donald Trump's campaign for president, including two surprise upsets — first Trump's victory in the GOP primaries, and then his shocking defeat of Hillary Clinton. Damon Linker, The Week, 31 Dec. 2021 Fortunately, the ignoble fate did not come to pass, and the structure has now reopened as a learning center for Arizona State University. Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2021 But none is quite as ignoble as being razed to make way for a parking lot. Laura Blasey, Los Angeles Times, 16 Nov. 2021 In what was a comparatively ignoble end to an otherwise vibrant October at the domestic box office, Dune dropped 62% and still topped the charts with $15.53 million. Scott Mendelson, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2021 And just like that, Jerry Jones’ California dreaming was about to suffer an ignoble death. Barry Horn, Dallas News, 15 Sep. 2021 See More Word History
Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin ignobilis, from in- + Old Latin gnobilis noble
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
ignoble
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- plebeian
- low
- vulgar
- humble
- lowly
- proletarian
- lowborn
- inferior
- common
- baseborn
- unwashed
- lumpen
- poor
- prole
- low-life
- bourgeois
- lower-class
- mean
- simple
- plain
- déclassé
- middle-class
- working-class
- downscale
- down-market
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- noble
- lofty
- aristocratic
- great
- high
- patrician
- grand
- genteel
- gentle
- highborn
- illustrious
- eminent
- notable
- highbred
- prominent
- blue-blooded
- wellborn
- upper-crust
- upper-class
Synonyms & Similar Words
- vile
- immoral
- ignominious
- dirty
- contemptible
- nasty
- dishonorable
- cruel
- sordid
- detestable
- despicable
- vicious
- corrupt
- wretched
- execrable
- evil
- bad
- low-minded
- snide
- base
- paltry
- currish
- mean
- wicked
- iniquitous
- low
- foul
- low-down
- wrong
- reprehensible
- depraved
- censurable
- shameful
- debased
- villainous
- perverted
- miscreant
- disgraceful
- discreditable
- degenerate
- unprincipled
- dissolute
- unworthy
- debauched
- blamable
- blameworthy
- unscrupulous
- disreputable
- unethical
- atrocious
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- noble
- honorable
- lofty
- virtuous
- high
- ethical
- righteous
- moral
- upright
- venerable
- straight
- scrupulous
- good
- honest
- excellent
- exemplary
- high-minded
- commendable
- just
- right
- respectable
- proper
- seemly
- decent
- principled
- blameless
- guiltless
- reputable
- right-minded
- irreproachable
- incorruptible
- unerring
- uncorrupted
Synonym Chooser
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.
In some situations, the words abject and ignoble are roughly equivalent. However, abject may imply degradation, debasement, or servility.
The words mean and ignoble are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mean suggests small-mindedness, ill temper, or cupidity.
The meanings of sordid and ignoble largely overlap; however, sordid is stronger than all of these in stressing physical or spiritual degradation and abjectness.