dudgeon

noun

Definition of dudgeonnext
as in huff
the feeling of being offended or resentful after a slight or indignity stomped off in high dudgeon after having his honor questioned

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word dudgeon distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of dudgeon are huff, offense, pique, resentment, and umbrage. While all these words mean "an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity," dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation.

stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon

When would huff be a good substitute for dudgeon?

The words huff and dudgeon are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause.

in a huff he slammed the door

When could offense be used to replace dudgeon?

Although the words offense and dudgeon have much in common, offense implies hurt displeasure.

takes deep offense at racial slurs

When is it sensible to use pique instead of dudgeon?

The synonyms pique and dudgeon are sometimes interchangeable, but pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity.

in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation

Where would resentment be a reasonable alternative to dudgeon?

The words resentment and dudgeon can be used in similar contexts, but resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will.

harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother

In what contexts can umbrage take the place of dudgeon?

The meanings of umbrage and dudgeon largely overlap; however, umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives.

took umbrage at the offer of advice

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 dudgeon Meanwhile, Will Forte gives a one-note performance as Avery, the lawyer who’s stuck in a mode of desperate high dudgeon. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026 Maybe the high public dudgeon is just envy masquerading as principle. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 12 June 2026 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 But some Angelenos took their picket signs and their dudgeon to City Hall. — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2023 But the movement is flummoxed now that its style of one-way dialogue and high-dudgeon shaming is provoking sharp backlash from illiberal strongmen, right-wing populists, and the mass constituencies that support these strongmen around the globe. — Jack Snyder, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dudgeon
  1. huff
  2. anger
  3. indignation
  4. umbrage
  5. frustration
  6. exasperation
  7. resentment
  8. pique
Noun
  • Devers walked back to the dugout in a huff.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
  • Not everyone feels the same way, however, and some progressive parents and staff are in a huff.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2026
Definition of huff
Noun
  • We are connected across continents in milliseconds, but too often separated by fear, anger, and mistrust.
    — Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • For property owners who poured their life savings into Camelot, the arrival of heavy machinery brings mounting anger over how local authorities handled the complex's long, troubled decline.
    — La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of anger
Noun
  • Along with his signature rapid-fire, garrulous dialogue, Sorkin’s tendency for self-righteous indignation is very much in evidence.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
  • But a new wave of indignation swept Spain when Abascal, who uses a wheelchair, was carried on a stretcher from her apartment after police cordoned off the street.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of indignation
Noun
  • The benches and bullpens emptied as the first baseman, who had homered in the first inning, took umbrage with the pitches.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Vitello did not mention Randazzo or the Apple TV broadcast, but the Giants’ rookie manager took umbrage with the accusation.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of umbrage
Noun
  • Demonstrators expressed widespread frustration and anger at the government as gasoline, energy and food prices have spiked in recent months.
    — SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • That's despite voter frustration over high prices and the Iran war, and his own challenge of leading one of narrowest House majorities in modern times.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of frustration
Noun
  • The tweet ended with an emoji of a man facepalming, conveying Johnson’s exasperation over the last play of Washington’s 27-27 tie with the New York Giants.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • But through a bit of TV fame, and Ramsay’s signature yelling, ranting, exasperation and, in the end, brotherly wisdom, perhaps its restaurant dreams can come true.
    — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of exasperation
Noun
  • Carney acknowledged Alberta’s longstanding resentment of federal energy policies.
    — Rob Gillies, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The pandemic supercharged a separatist movement long fueled by Western alienation — resentment of Ottawa over federal power and energy policies — drawing in activists angry over COVID-19 restrictions, some influenced by conspiracy theories.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of resentment
Noun
  • The first is pique, a sharp, vinegary hot sauce that throbs with the heat of Thai chiles.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
  • Fewer annoying managers, rehab visits, or fits of artistic pique.
    — Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 22 July 2026
Definition of pique

Browse Nearby Words

dude (up)
dudgeon
dudgeons
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Cite this Entry

“Dudgeon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dudgeon. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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