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

Example 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 Then there were those who simply took umbrage with the woman behind the video breaking her grandma's eggs. Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for umbrage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbrage
Noun
  • The chute opens, and rambunctious No. 2 bursts out with an impatient huff.
    Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • The city councilor and over two dozen residents responded to Eureka Street after the presence of federal agents in the neighborhood sparked anger Thursday morning.
    Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025
  • Tangent Posts made by the X account named after Prevost triggered anger among some of the president’s most vocal supporters online.
    Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • Particularly if Devers' frustration in Boston grows.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
  • The night was maddening enough that, after the sixth inning, Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior was ejected for expressing his frustration with home-plate umpire Jeremie Rehak’s strike zone — the first ejection of Prior’s baseball life.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • The result was an outpouring of delighted indignation and anti-Corden sentiment, complete with an extended tabloid news cycle.
    Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
  • With Chrome, OpenAI would gain access to a treasure trove of user behavior data — data that might fuel its large language models but also trigger indignation from privacy activists.
    Tor Constantino, MBA, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Beck is in a state of high dudgeon, because there’s a big shipment due and two of his drivers are AWOL.
    Chris Klimek, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Close’s game, canny performance of reliving her own past couldn’t quite obscure the ungainliness of some of Webber’s songs, the dudgeon and occasional monotony of the sung-through score, or the strain of trying to generate plot friction in a story with only four major characters.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 21 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Acting in the public interest? Commission members reacted with exasperation after hearing key points from the reports.
    Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 8 May 2025
  • Aaron Wan-Bissaka fell to the ground in shock, Lucas Paqueta shook his head in frustration, exasperation gripped Tomas Soucek and Maximilian Kilman, while Graham Potter stood motionless on the touchline.
    Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • On both sides of Kashmir’s line of control, people feel powerless as their politicians rehash old arguments, potentially reigniting decades of smoldering resentment.
    Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 5 May 2025
  • Beyond the politics is a complex brew of resentment and reverence that the president, an Ivy League graduate himself, has long harbored for a club that has never really accepted him.
    Elisabeth Bumiller, New York Times, 4 May 2025
Noun
  • The earrings boast quality hypoallergenic materials to avoid ear irritation, and come in rose gold, sterling silver, or gold plated.
    Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 5 May 2025
  • Those with sensitive skin don’t have to worry about skin irritation, either, as they’re made from a nickel-free material.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 2 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Umbrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbrage. Accessed 17 May. 2025.

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