umbrage

Synonym Chooser

How is the word umbrage distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of umbrage are dudgeon, huff, offense, pique, and resentment. While all these words mean "an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity," umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives.

took umbrage at the offer of advice

When would dudgeon be a good substitute for umbrage?

Although the words dudgeon and umbrage have much in common, dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation.

stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon

When could huff be used to replace umbrage?

The words huff and umbrage can be used in similar contexts, but huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause.

in a huff he slammed the door

When is offense a more appropriate choice than umbrage?

While the synonyms offense and umbrage are close in meaning, offense implies hurt displeasure.

takes deep offense at racial slurs

When can pique be used instead of umbrage?

The meanings of pique and umbrage largely overlap; however, pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity.

in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation

When might resentment be a better fit than umbrage?

While in some cases nearly identical to umbrage, resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will.

harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother

Examples Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of umbrage Daggett, son of the ILA’s international president Harold Daggett, took umbrage with the designation that the RMGs are semi-automated, saying in his post that 95 percent of the work performed by the cranes are fully automated. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 Dec. 2024 Wednesday, Wolfe took umbrage with the fact that the rumors even exist. Jon Paul Hoornstra, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024 But the rest of the boos mostly came after foul calls the crowd — and Boston’s bench — took umbrage with. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024 Art must have taken umbrage with the slogan, because his killing of Jeff is extremely phallic in focus. Barry Levitt, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for umbrage 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbrage
Noun
  • Volunteers were charged around 25 cents per huff, bringing in good profit for those who’d invested in the necessary gas tanks, tubes, and breathing bags.
    Oshan Jarow, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
  • The huffs and hums, produced by two women standing face-to-face and vocalizing from their throats, is believed to be one of the oldest music forms in the world.
    Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2024
Noun
  • At the same time, stay calm and don’t rise to meet their anger with your anger.
    Jenny McCoy, Glamour, 10 Jan. 2025
  • And last year, employee anger over losing their pensions was at the heart of negotiations between Boeing and its machinist workers.
    Dan Doonan, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • This shift has led to frustration and disappointment among job seekers who invest time and effort in the interview process.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
  • For instance, neurodivergent students may struggle to focus and absorb information effectively, leading to frustration, which further fuels the problem.
    William Jones, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • This seemingly small, personal decision triggers absolute indignation in her husband, parents, and siblings.
    Ilana Masad, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025
  • Trump has skated again and could care less about their indignation.
    Letters to the Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Instead, the high dudgeon now heard in Tennant’s fey voice gives too much weight to the smugness of group-thinkers.
    Armond White, National Review, 18 Sep. 2024
  • Truth Social, meanwhile, is its own, strange creature: a social media platform born out of Donald Trump’s dudgeon at being banned from Facebook and Twitter due to his posts on those platforms.
    Samanth Subramanian, Quartz, 23 Mar. 2024
Noun
  • Time and again, parents and victims expressed exasperation to The Times that so many of these men kept operating.
    Jennifer Valentino-DeVries, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
  • Anthony Edwards approached Gobert, the center responded and exasperation overcame Edwards.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 28 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The national blindness to the depth of Moro resentment has led Philippine politicians and policymakers to treat Moros as wayward children who can be set right through minor concessions, or if those fail, through force.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Cherry titrates Dylan’s outie with notes of resignation and resentment, and Turturro bolsters outside Irv — a lonely artist — with genial warmth.
    Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Short-term exposure can cause irritation, breathing difficulties and exacerbation of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
  • If the patch test area develops irritation, wash the castor oil off of your skin and apply a cool compress or petroleum jelly to soothe your skin.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Umbrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbrage. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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