umbrage

noun

um·​brage ˈəm-brij 

1

: a feeling of pique or resentment at some often fancied slight or insult

took umbrage at the speaker's remarks

2

: shady branches : foliage

3

: shade, shadow

4

a

: an indistinct indication : vague suggestion : hint

b

: a reason for doubt : suspicion

Did you know?

Umbrage is a word born in the shadows. Its ultimate source (and that of umbrella) is Latin umbra, meaning “shade, shadow,” and when it was first used in the 15th century it referred to exactly that. But figurative use followed relatively quickly. Shakespeare wrote of Hamlet that "his semblable is his mirror, and who else would trace him, his umbrage, nothing more,” and by the 17th century this meaning of “vague suggestion; hint,” had been joined by other uses, including the “feeling of resentment or offense” heard today in such sentences as “many took umbrage at the speaker’s tasteless jokes.” The word’s early literal use is not often encountered, though it does live on in literature: for example, in her 1849 novel, Charlotte Brontë describes how the titular Shirley would relax “at the foot of some tree of friendly umbrage.”

Synonyms

• dudgeon
• huff
• miff
• offense
• offence
• peeve
• pique
• resentment

Choose the Right Synonym for umbrage

offense, resentment, umbrage, pique, dudgeon, huff mean an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity.

offense implies hurt displeasure.

takes deep offense at racial slurs

resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will.

harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother

umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives.

took umbrage at the offer of advice

pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity.

in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation

dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation.

stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon

huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause.

in a huff he slammed the door

Examples of umbrage in a Sentence

took umbrage at the slightest suggestion of disrespect

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite the Eagles' defense having a day, Kelce has taken umbrage with his performance in the biggest game of the season and is seemingly planning to rectify that by returning for the 2025 season. —David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025

The speech in Germany, stunned European allies who took umbrage with Vance’s remarks chastising the European nations over free speech rights and mass migration problems. —Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 22 Feb. 2025

Erin Blanchfield also weighed in, and took umbrage with the look and design as well. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025

Terence Fisher doused the first color adaptation of Holmes’s most famous case with lashings of red and green — which weren’t enough to impress the Conan Doyle estate, which took umbrage with Hammer’s salacious changes to the plot. —Rory Doherty, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin umbraticum, neuter of umbraticus of shade, from umbratus, past participle of umbrare to shade, from umbra shade, shadow; akin to Lithuanian unksmė shadow

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

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Kids Definition

umbrage

noun

um·​brage ˈəm-brij 

: resentment, offense

take umbrage at a remark