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

Relevance

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
  • One of the largest online voice acting communities on Reddit, r/VoiceActing, is full of angst and anger, but few solutions.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The 849 feels incrementally smoother and more confidence inspiring than its predecessor when driven in anger, thanks to drivetrain and suspension improvements.
    — Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of anger
Noun
  • Acceptance moves you out of frustration and into a place of proactivity.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Troops in this area have sustained heavy casualties in battles with the regional Islamic State affiliate, and analysts and security sources say frustration with the government is mounting within frontline units.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of frustration
Noun
  • On cue, China expressed indignation about anti-missile deployments.
    — Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Mind you, Miss Manners agrees with your indignation at this fraudulent maneuver.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
Definition of indignation
Noun
  • The inescapable sounds of rejection and resentment should’ve long been raining down from the Dawg Pound and ringing in the ears of the bosses who divided this fanbase by dolling up a flawed man as their franchise quarterback.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Margo and Harry’s late-life crisis brings decades of love, resentment and regret to the surface, with humour and emotional truth.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 24 Aug. 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
  • Dorgu ran into players, and Fernandes, throwing his arms around in exasperation at Tielemans’ failure to control the ball, looked a picture of frustration.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Vain to the point of exasperation, computer genius and hacker Roddy did not have to make an error to be thrown out of MI5 headquarters.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of exasperation
Noun
  • Another steered people to collagen creams for lifting, which included products for calming irritation and a cream formulated for reducing redness.
    — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Hyaluronic acid can help combat potential irritation and dryness caused by retinol.
    — Ellie Davis, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritation

Browse Nearby Words

umbra
umbrage
umbrageous
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Umbrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbrage. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All