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 Move too quickly, and the die-hards who flock to Fox News and Fox Sports will take umbrage. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 15 Sep. 2025 That Carroll took such umbrage only increased Harbaugh’s smile, making for a better story. Jay Paris, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 All take umbrage at Senate Bill 3, one of a litany of laws passed in Colorado since 2018 — and one of the most restrictive. Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 2 Sep. 2025 Critics have said Trump conceded too much to Putin and took umbrage with the talks ending without an agreement. Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for umbrage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbrage
Noun
  • Lloyd evaded a diving Mahomes, Kareem Hunt and a streaking Tyquan Thornton for a huff-and-puff 99-yard interception return for a touchdown.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Kemp looked at the ceiling and blew a huff of air when Schwartz announced the sentence.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • For Yankees fans, there will be anger.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Through sharp wit and deep introspection, Wood reveals the wisdom he’s gathered—from knowing when to hold your tongue to learning how to channel anger into purpose.
    Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The comments illustrate the frustration as the four remaining controllers waited on a regional air traffic control center across the state to clear planes to enter the airspace.
    Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
  • In the film, directed by Mike Judge, Peter Gibbons (Livingston) and his coworkers, Michael Bolton (David Herman) and Samir Nagheenanajar (Ajay Naidu), enjoy the last day at their job by taking out years of frustrations on their frequently malfunctioning office printer.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • McBride sets the political context for Swift’s savage indignation by noting that 1727–1729 saw three successive harvest failures in Ireland.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Passions run as high as style, and candor and fervor blend with humor, to endow anecdotes and reflections with pride and purpose along with mourning and indignation.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 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
  • Close’s game, canny performance of reliving her own past couldn’t quite obscure the ungainliness of some of Webber’s songs, the dudgeon and occasional monotony of the sung-through score, or the strain of trying to generate plot friction in a story with only four major characters.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 21 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Swift asks with growing exasperation at an unseen model.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The move reflects their exasperation with the Israeli leader, and a potentially existential moment for Israel.
    Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The only character who seems entirely transparent is Frederik, who can’t hide his resentment of his second-class spousal status or his contempt for the sycophants and mediocrities who cling to his wife like barnacles.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Still working through residual resentments from last year, her lyrics this cycle often clash with the careful slickness of the production.
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • For mild flare-ups, hydrocortisone cream can reduce itching and irritation.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Hydrocortisone Cream Bug bites, rashes, and random skin irritations can flare up fast while traveling.
    Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Umbrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbrage. Accessed 12 Oct. 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!