indignant

adjective in·dig·nant \ in-ˈdig-nənt \

Definition of indignant

:feeling or showing anger because of something unjust or unworthy :filled with or marked by indignation

became indignant at the accusation

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indignantly

adverb

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Examples of indignant in a Sentence

Melville was so struck by the drama of the Essex (deliberately battered by an indignant and maddened whale, which at last brained itself by sinking the ship) that he used it as the end of Moby-Dick. —Paul Theroux, New York Times Book Review, 11 June 2000
What you really need is a story that will not only excuse tardiness but encourage your boss to give you the entire day off. … Should anyone give you the third degree on your return to work, don't hesitate to become indignant and stomp out of the room. —Jeff Foxworthy, No Shirt. No Shoes. No Problem!, 1996
When the Roman soldiers were asked to take part in the Claudian invasion of 43, they waxed indignant. This was asking them to carry on a campaign "outside the limits of the known world." —Antonia Fraser, The Warrior Queens, 1988
She wrote an indignant letter to the editor.
He was very indignant about the changes.
an indignant tone of voice

Recent Examples of indignant from the Web

Hanson’s plotting is ragged and formulaic, but his storytelling voice is off the charts: blunt, morbid, morally indignant and furiously funny.

— marilyn stasio, New York Times, "Crime Fiction: Sue Grafton Nears the End of Her Alphabet Mysteries," 17 Aug. 2017
The passenger sounds indignant as his hands remain on his lap.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Calif. cop pulls car over for traffic stop -- then points gun at passenger for 9 minutes," 6 Aug. 2017
Among the 140-character hot takes and indignant emoji are non-Ravens supporters pledging a new Baltimore fandom if the team picks up Kaepernick.

— jonas shaffer, baltimoresun.com, "The Kaepernick ultimatums you make when you're a Ravens fan and mad online," 27 July 2017
The second half, Love—spun as a soundtrack to an indie art film—is producing some indignant squawking from reviewers for its self-indulgence and shapelessness.

— monica kendrick, Chicago Reader, "The Melvins are still throwing us all for a loop, some 35 years since their inception," 13 July 2017
San Diego State’s leadership having compounded its unpreparedness with indignant stubbornness in dealing with the SoccerCity crew is clumsy brushing up against ineptitude.

— kevin acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, "SDSU has waited Long enough to get real about stadium," 23 June 2017
During arguments in April, several justices seemed indignant and incredulous at the government’s hard-line approach in the case, Maslenjak v. United States, No.

— adam liptak, New York Times, "U.S. Can’t Revoke Citizenship Over Minor Falsehoods, Supreme Court Rules," 22 June 2017
The plan drew an indignant response from McIlroy, who usually is quite good off the tee.

— jay cohen, The Seattle Times, "McIlroy hits it all over the place at US Open," 16 June 2017
Unsurprisingly, many ordinary Americans came to see themselves as victims of perfidious conspiracies, channeling their energies into indignant rebellions like the Anti-Masonic Party.

— kevin baker, New Republic, "Trail of Fears," 13 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'indignant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of indignant

Latin indignant-, indignans, present participle of indignari to be indignant, from indignus unworthy, from in- + dignus worthy — more at decent

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First Known Use: 1590

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