adjective

ignominious

ig-nuh-MIN-ee-uhs/ˌɪɡnəˈmɪniəs/

Deserving or causing public shame and disgrace.

The cheating winner suffers an ignominious loss of her trophy in public.

A card-tournament winner is publicly stripped of her trophy after being caught cheating: duplicate aces spill from her sleeve while her opponent exposes the deception and an official takes back the prize.

Etymology

igLatinnot; without

+nominLatinname

+iousLatinfull of; characterized by

The negative prefix and “name” refer to losing a good name, or reputation. Something ignominious brings that loss of standing: it is shameful enough to expose someone to public disgrace.

In context

Enhanced Public Domain150:18

now all was to be obliterated in an ignominious grave and I the cause a thousand times rather would I have confessed myself guilty of the crime

1800s Fiction Audiobook: Mary Shelley - Frankenstein

More examples

The team suffers an ignominious defeat against its weakest opponent.
She resigns rather than face an ignominious dismissal.
The failed invasion ends in an ignominious retreat.

Forms

ignominious

ignominiously adverb — In a publicly shameful or disgraceful manner.

ignominy noun — Public shame or disgrace that damages reputation.

Similar words

shameful: Emphasizes moral wrongdoing rather than the public disgrace it brings.
humiliating: Focuses on wounded pride, even without wrongdoing or lasting disgrace.