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indignation
noun
in·dig·na·tion
ˌin-dig-ˈnā-shən
: anger aroused by something unjust, unworthy, or mean
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for indignation
anger, ire, rage, fury, indignation, wrath mean an intense emotional state induced by displeasure.
anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.
tried to hide his anger
ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.
cheeks flushed with ire
shook with rage
could not contain his fury
indignation stresses righteous anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful.
a comment that caused general indignation
wrath is likely to suggest a desire or intent to punish or get revenge.
I feared her wrath if I was discovered
Examples of indignation in a Sentence
I am eager to concede that in our cataclysmic world this is a little misfortune, arousing even in me only the kind of indignation that could be thoroughly vented in a long footnote somewhere.
—
Marilynne Robinson, The Death of Adam, (1998) 2005
It's good to bear the preceding in mind when trying to comprehend the indignation with which the East Coast establishment greets work that dares to be both funny and deadly serious in the same breath.
—
Tom Robbins, Harper's, September 2004
… in his reverie, while his wife swooped back and forth with sheets of last year's leaves and bundles of brisk directives, his brooding mind warmed his old indignation at not having been invited to that party given by his then recently forsaken inamorata.
—
John Updike, The Afterlife, 1994
The decision to close the factory has aroused the indignation of the townspeople.
He adopted a tone of moral indignation.
Recent Examples on the Web
The 25% tariffs President Trump announced on Canada and Mexico — which will likely plunge our northern neighbor into recession — have united Canadians of all political stripes in indignation.
—
Dave Lawler, Axios, 3 Feb. 2025
The revocation of the deportation protections for Venezuela caused indignation and fear in South Florida, the heart of the Venezuelan community in the United States.
—
Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2025
The banners appeared one after another — slowly, methodically, a manifesto of indignation unfurling beneath bleak Normandy skies.
—
Jack Lang, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
The most vulnerable people on the road are on foot, something that is forgotten by many of us cyclists, who get caught up in righteous indignation about how many motorists act.
—
Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for indignation 
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Word History
Dictionary Entries Near indignation
Cite this Entry
“Indignation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indignation. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
indignation
noun
in·dig·na·tion
ˌin-dig-ˈnā-shən
: anger caused by something unjust, unworthy, or mean
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