indignant

adjective

in·​dig·​nant in-ˈdig-nənt 

: feeling or showing anger because of something unjust or unworthy : filled with or marked by indignation

became indignant at the accusation

indignantly adverb

Synonyms

• angered
• angry
• apoplectic
• ballistic
• cheesed off [chiefly British]
• choleric
• enraged
• foaming
• fuming
• furious
• hopping
• horn-mad
• hot
• incensed
• inflamed
• enflamed
• infuriate
• infuriated
• irate
• ireful
• livid
• mad
• outraged
• rabid
• rankled
• riled
• riley
• roiled
• shirty [chiefly British]
• sore
• steamed up
• steaming
• teed off
• ticked
• wrathful
• wroth

Examples of indignant in a Sentence

Melville was so struck by the drama of the Essex (deliberately battered by an indignant and maddened whale, which at last brained itself by sinking the ship) that he used it as the end of Moby-Dick. —Paul Theroux, New York Times Book Review, 11 June 2000

What you really need is a story that will not only excuse tardiness but encourage your boss to give you the entire day off.  … Should anyone give you the third degree on your return to work, don't hesitate to become indignant and stomp out of the room. —Jeff Foxworthy, No Shirt. No Shoes. No Problem!, 1996

When the Roman soldiers were asked to take part in the Claudian invasion of 43, they waxed indignant. This was asking them to carry on a campaign "outside the limits of the known world." —Antonia Fraser, The Warrior Queens, 1988

She wrote an indignant letter to the editor.

He was very indignant about the changes.

an indignant tone of voice

Recent Examples on the Web

And no other post-World War II president faced a powerful Asian adversary like today’s China: large, resourceful, indignant, and determined to claim the central regional position. —Michael J. Green, Foreign Affairs, 31 Jan. 2022

The audience cheers at the right moments, and Costner has the appropriate indignant fervor. —Will Leitch, Vulture, 1 July 2024

Lucas was shocked and hurt that his generous offers kept being rebuffed; the people who organized against him were indignant that a billionaire could be so cavalier about their public land. —Elizabeth Blackwell, Longreads, 14 Nov. 2024

Asked by The Times in 2011 to compare himself to Kanye West (now known as Ye), Jones seemed indignant. —Steve Marble, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin indignant-, indignans, present participle of indignari to be indignant, from indignus unworthy, from in- + dignus worthy — more at decent

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

indignant

adjective

in·​dig·​nant in-ˈdig-nənt 

: filled with or expressing indignation

indignantly adverb