indignant

adjective

in·​dig·​nant in-ˈdig-nənt 

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

became indignant at the accusation

indignantly adverb

Synonyms

• angered
• angry
• apoplectic
• ballistic
• cheesed off [chiefly British]
• choleric
• enraged
• foaming
• fuming
• furious
• hopping
• horn-mad
• hot
• incensed
• inflamed
• enflamed
• infuriate
• infuriated
• irate
• ireful
• livid
• mad
• outraged
• rabid
• rankled
• riled
• riley
• roiled
• shirty [chiefly British]
• sore
• steamed up
• steaming
• teed off
• ticked
• wrathful
• wroth

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 on the Web

This, in turn, has become a major political liability for voucher advocates in many states, with rural conservatives becoming increasingly indignant that their tax dollars are being spent on vouchers for upper-middle-class families in far-off metropolitan areas where there are more private schools. —Eli Hager, ProPublica, 17 Sep. 2024

Hill is at times indignant and complains repeatedly about the officers' conduct. —Becky Sullivan, NPR, 9 Sep. 2024

The man takes it, over the protests of his indignant wife. —Jessica Kiang, Variety, 31 Aug. 2024

Trump’s rhetoric and the resulting indignant talk of European self-reliance did not prompt German officials to update their formal strategy. —Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

indignant

adjective

in·​dig·​nant in-ˈdig-nənt 

: filled with or expressing indignation

indignantly adverb