noun

indignity

in-DIG-nuh-tee/ɪnˈdɪɡnəti/

Treatment that humiliates people or offends their dignity.

The worker suffers the indignity of being publicly belittled.

An adult office worker is publicly belittled by a pointing supervisor while colleagues look uncomfortable, critical respectful portrayal.

Etymology

inLatinnot

+dignLatinworthy, fitting

+ityLatinquality or state

The pieces express unworthiness, and the Latin noun could also mean unworthy conduct or an outrage. An indignity is treatment that lowers people’s dignity, treating them as unworthy of respect.

In context

Storytime Haven77:28

Thalassa repaid the indignity of capture by a course of treatment which had long since subdued his wife to a state of perpetual fear of him

🌑 The Moon Rock 🌒 | A Haunting Tale of Mystery and Ambition by Arthur J. Rees

More examples

The rude dismissal is one indignity too many.
She objects to the needless indignities imposed on the visitors.
They preserve their dignity despite repeated indignity.

Forms

indignity · indignities

Similar words

humiliation: The resulting loss of dignity rather than specifically the treatment causing it.
insult: An insult offends; an indignity particularly humiliates or degrades.