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 Terence Fisher doused the first color adaptation of Holmes’s most famous case with lashings of red and green — which weren’t enough to impress the Conan Doyle estate, which took umbrage with Hammer’s salacious changes to the plot. Rory Doherty, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025 Cormier took umbrage with the account posting an old quote seemingly out of the blue. Brian Mazique, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 Expand All Members of a private Facebook group representing the area surrounding the far north Fort Worth Heritage neighborhood took umbrage at having one their leaders called a narcissist by a member of the Keller school board. Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Jan. 2025 Cronin took umbrage with that technical, earning a second technical and an early exit to the Bruins’ locker room. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 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
  • During last year’s presidential campaign, a roadside billboard in Miami that drew comparisons between Trump and dictators like Fidel Castro drew anger from supporters of the president.
    David Catanese, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Sleep deprivation hampers your ability to deal with job stress and can unleash anger during your workday.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Jeff: When meeting with reporters on Wednesday, Chastain indicated he was mystified and offended by Logano’s post-race comments expressing frustration with the Trackhouse Racing driver.
    Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Several owners of food and drink establishments have spoken with The Star in recent months to share their frustrations about property crimes affecting businesses across Kansas City.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Newcastle United fans will be used to the fact that they aren’t allowed to enjoy these occasions before sports journalists’ chin-stroking moral indignation takes hold.
    Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The Baldwins shame him, but their righteous indignation feels insincere considering Baldwin wasn’t using her name in that footage with detectives.
    Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 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
  • 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
Noun
  • People react to news of some Frappuccinos leaving Starbucks menu Reactions on the social platform X on Tuesday ranged from sadness and exasperation that a favorite drink was going away to acceptance that the move makes sense for Starbucks.
    Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Coupe, Marino and Lee are in a comparably broad comedic register, each leaning into amusing notes of exasperation.
    Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Meanwhile, in their first Netflix series, Meghan expressed her resentment over that being the big takeaway from the Oprah interview instead of her mental health revelations.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Without enough time to truly know each other’s habits, values and communication styles, small annoyances can snowball into deeper resentment.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Throw a retinol serum into the mix, and you could be left with even more skin irritation, Tournas notes.
    Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
  • For those with sensitive skin — or if overused — AHAs can compromise the skin barrier, causing redness and irritation.
    Victoria Jowett, Refinery29, 1 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Umbrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbrage. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on umbrage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!