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 Some politicians have taken umbrage at these alternative bundles of joy. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2024 When players showed up toting their own circulating fans, Swifties took umbrage at Coach Andy Reid’s spartan conditions. Annie Gowen, Washington Post, 28 July 2024 Members of some pro-Palestinian groups, Within Our Lifetime and Students for Justice in Palestine, took umbrage and organized a protest of their own on the sidelines of the fictional one, the Times reported. arkansasonline.com, 25 July 2024 In Visit To Campaign Headquarters — Update One very popular actress, who has been public about her own struggle to conceive, took umbrage. Tom Tapp, Deadline, 24 July 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
  • Then came the anger, hurt and all that goes with it.
    R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
  • This means asking them to let go of any anger and resentment toward you, but don’t force anything.
    Hylke Faber, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • But with crucial deadlines and the land deal itself hanging in the balance, the county’s apparent lack of movement was a source of frustration at Tuesday’s supervisors meeting.
    Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
  • Voter frustrations with the economy and immigration are fueling Trump’s slight advantage among Arizona voters.
    Stephanie Murray, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • When Wiley returns a few minutes later with a tissue, his indignation has come back, too.
    Rachel Corbett, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024
  • On Wednesday night, when news of the pending indictment was reported by the Times, but before details of the charges were publicly known, Adams offered the public the same righteous indignation.
    Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 26 Sep. 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
  • Like the best Bluey episodes, every frame pulls on multiple emotional levers at once — as Nana and Bob maneuver around the mess, there’s sweetness, absurdity, exasperation, and deep love all happening.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024
  • And after years of calling for change, there’s a growing sense of exasperation among those on the front lines.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • This means asking them to let go of any anger and resentment toward you, but don’t force anything.
    Hylke Faber, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • But both therapists agree that honest and open communication is a must for preventing misunderstandings and keeping resentment from building up.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Additionally, secondhand marijuana smoke has higher levels of fine particulate matter, which can cause cardiovascular disease and lung irritation and make respiratory infections and asthma attacks more likely.
    David Stempel, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
  • Find it on Amazon A Retinol Kit for Your Nighttime Routine Pairing hydrating products with retinoids is essential to prevent irritation and protect your skin.
    Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Umbrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbrage. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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