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

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

Beyond the campaign, Republicans have taken umbrage with Biden administration guidance issued in February that says nonpartisan get-out-the-vote efforts qualify for federal work-study, a government program that helps lower-income college students pay tuition and fees with part-time jobs. —Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024

Some social media users took umbrage with the fact that the hijackers depicted in the series called each by Hindu names, despite being Muslims from Pakistan. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Sep. 2024

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

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

umbrage

noun

um·​brage ˈəm-brij 

: resentment, offense

take umbrage at a remark