umbrage

noun

ˈəm-brij How to pronounce umbrage (audio)
Definition of umbragenext
as in huff
the feeling of being offended or resentful after a slight or indignity took umbrage at the slightest suggestion of disrespect

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Others like Charles Johnson took umbrage with the new rankings. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 Vigna has taken umbrage at the suggestion that the company doesn’t have anything to offer in terms of technological advances. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 29 May 2026 Wilson took umbrage with Moise framing her as unable to run her district — and balked at the idea that a congressional member should resign from their role if they’re considered too ill or too old. — Miami Herald, 29 May 2026 Met by protests Brittin was met at the front of the BBC’s New Broadcasting House HQ in London by a small group of protesters holding National Union of Journalists placards, taking umbrage with the layoffs in the BBC News division. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for umbrage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbrage
  1. huff
  2. anger
  3. frustration
  4. indignation
  5. resentment
  6. dudgeon
  7. exasperation
  8. irritation
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of dudgeon
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
  • The cream caused minimal skin irritation, and the drug was detected in the blood of very few participants, according to the company.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • My irritation was not with the charge itself but with how some of the commentaries about it invoked as evidence Vance’s wish to be buried in the country graveyard where generations of his ancestors already rest.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of irritation

Browse Nearby Words

umbra
umbrage
umbrageous
See all Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

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

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