Ignominious – Embarrassing because of being a complete failure; humiliating, disgraceful, shameful

(Pronounced ig-nuh-min-ee-uhs)

To remember the definition of the word ignominious, use the following mnemonic:

She was trying to ignore the minibus (ignominious) because it was embarrassing and a complete failure.

Examples of ignominious in a sentence

When the tennis player missed each shot in the first round, he knew it was the beginning of an ignominious defeat for him. 

After being unable to hold back enemy forces, the remaining troops made an ignominious retreat.

She had only made one tiny mistake and her career suddenly came to an ignominious end.