umbrage

noun

um·​brage ˈəm-brij 

1

: a feeling of pique or resentment at some often fancied slight or insult

took umbrage at the speaker's remarks

2

: shady branches : foliage

3

: shade, shadow

4

a

: an indistinct indication : vague suggestion : hint

b

: a reason for doubt : suspicion

Did you know?

Umbrage is a word born in the shadows. Its ultimate source (and that of umbrella) is Latin umbra, meaning “shade, shadow,” and when it was first used in the 15th century it referred to exactly that. But figurative use followed relatively quickly. Shakespeare wrote of Hamlet that "his semblable is his mirror, and who else would trace him, his umbrage, nothing more,” and by the 17th century this meaning of “vague suggestion; hint,” had been joined by other uses, including the “feeling of resentment or offense” heard today in such sentences as “many took umbrage at the speaker’s tasteless jokes.” The word’s early literal use is not often encountered, though it does live on in literature: for example, in her 1849 novel, Charlotte Brontë describes how the titular Shirley would relax “at the foot of some tree of friendly umbrage.”

Synonyms

• offence
• huff
• anger
• frustration
• indignation
• dudgeon
• exasperation
• resentment
• irritation

Choose the Right Synonym for umbrage

offense, resentment, umbrage, pique, dudgeon, huff mean an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity.

offense implies hurt displeasure.

takes deep offense at racial slurs

resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will.

harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother

umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives.

took umbrage at the offer of advice

pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity.

in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation

dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation.

stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon

huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause.

in a huff he slammed the door

Examples of umbrage in a Sentence

took umbrage at the slightest suggestion of disrespect

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite taking umbrage at PSR seeming to put a ceiling on their ambitions, Villa have consistently spent between 80 and 90 per cent in recent years — far more than the UEFA recommendation of 70 per cent. —Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 22 Aug. 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

His ardent critics call him a peddler of dangerous misinformation, taking umbrage at Rogan’s decision to platform fringe voices such as Alex Jones and Milo Yiannopoulos. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025

The two-page memo delivers some bad news for the umbrage machine that churns out grievances that other, less pure conservatives may have missed. —Debra J. Saunders, Oc Register, 10 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin umbraticum, neuter of umbraticus of shade, from umbratus, past participle of umbrare to shade, from umbra shade, shadow; akin to Lithuanian unksmė shadow

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

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Kids Definition

umbrage

noun

um·​brage ˈəm-brij 

: resentment, offense

take umbrage at a remark