ignoble
/ig'noubl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Lacking nobility of character, base, or dishonorable: Describes actions, motives, or qualities that are mean, unworthy, or contemptible.
- Of low birth or common origin: (Archaic) Pertaining to someone not of noble rank or family.
Examples of Usage
- Adjective:
- Betraying a friend for personal gain is an ignoble act.
- The dictator's ignoble regime was marked by cruelty and corruption.
- (Archaic) He was of ignoble birth but rose to prominence through his talents.
Advanced Usage
- "ignoble end": A dishonorable or shameful conclusion.
- The tyrant met an ignoble end, overthrown by his own people.
- "ignoble motives": Selfish, base, or unworthy reasons for doing something.
- His charity was revealed to be driven by ignoble motives of tax evasion and publicity.
Variants and Related Words
- Ignobly (adverb): In a mean, base, or dishonorable manner.
- He was accused of acting ignobly.
- Ignobility (noun): The state or quality of being ignoble. (Rare)
Synonyms
- Base: Morally low, without honor.
- Dishonorable: Lacking integrity, shameful.
- Despicable: Deserving hatred and contempt.
- Contemptible: Worthy of scorn.
Antonyms
- Noble: Having fine personal qualities or high moral principles.
- Honorable: Worthy of honor and respect.
- Admirable: Deserving approval and respect.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "An ignoble retreat": A cowardly or shameful withdrawal from a situation.
- Faced with the truth, he made an ignoble retreat from the debate.
Adjective
- not of the nobility
- of ignoble (or ungentle) birth
- untitled civilians
- completely lacking nobility in character or quality or purpose
- something cowardly and ignoble in his attitude
- I think it a less evil that some criminals should escape than that the government should play an ignoble part- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.