take exception

idiomatic phrase

: to object to something : to feel or express disagreement with or opposition to something
Domi squirted water at fans from the penalty box and a fan took exception.Gregory Strong
While her original tweet was quickly deleted, it was still spotted by other former Ulster University graduates who took exception.Mark Bain
usually used with to
She took exception to the remark.
Many physicists who read this book will take exception to Capra's views on contemporary physics.Robert March

Examples of take exception in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When the debut motorcycle event at Laguna Seca was scheduled, some city officials took exception. James Raia, The Mercury News, 8 Dec. 2024 Even though Stellantis’ management took exception to Farris’s letter, purporting that sales were improving, Carlos Tavares will still be replaced as CEO in 2026. Peter Lyon, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 In a post on X, Pat Hanlon, the Giants' senior vice president of communications, took exception to Duncan’s segment. Ryan Canfield, Fox News, 23 Nov. 2024 Then the Giants’ sideline took exception to a hit by Joseph on Giants linebacker Matt Adams. Pat Leonard, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for take exception 

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of take exception was in 1542

Dictionary Entries Near take exception

Cite this Entry

“Take exception.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20exception. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on take exception

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!