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 of umbrage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web 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 After Hyde took umbrage with New York closer Clay Holmes, the Orioles manager got into a shouting match with a coach in the Yankees’ dugout, causing the benches and bullpens to empty. Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 2024 His quote — made before House Republicans in a morning meeting on Capitol Hill to discuss campaign strategies and first reported by Punchbowl News — set off a shockwave, with Democrats and Milwaukee residents (and its mayor) taking umbrage at the diss. Molly Beck, Journal Sentinel, 13 June 2024 But the subjects of the article—and even those who were pointedly not its subject—took umbrage, some carrying their mini-grudge well into the present day. Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 13 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for umbrage 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'umbrage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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Cite this Entry

“Umbrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbrage. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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