dudgeon

Definition of dudgeonnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word dudgeon distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of dudgeon are huff, offense, pique, resentment, and umbrage. While all these words mean "an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity," dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation.

stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon

When would huff be a good substitute for dudgeon?

The words huff and dudgeon are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause.

in a huff he slammed the door

When could offense be used to replace dudgeon?

Although the words offense and dudgeon have much in common, offense implies hurt displeasure.

takes deep offense at racial slurs

When is it sensible to use pique instead of dudgeon?

The synonyms pique and dudgeon are sometimes interchangeable, but pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity.

in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation

Where would resentment be a reasonable alternative to dudgeon?

The words resentment and dudgeon can be used in similar contexts, but resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will.

harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother

In what contexts can umbrage take the place of dudgeon?

The meanings of umbrage and dudgeon largely overlap; however, umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives.

took umbrage at the offer of advice

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 dudgeon 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 Instead, the high dudgeon now heard in Tennant’s fey voice gives too much weight to the smugness of group-thinkers. Armond White, National Review, 18 Sep. 2024 Truth Social, meanwhile, is its own, strange creature: a social media platform born out of Donald Trump’s dudgeon at being banned from Facebook and Twitter due to his posts on those platforms. Samanth Subramanian, Quartz, 23 Mar. 2024 But some Angelenos took their picket signs and their dudgeon to City Hall. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2023 Dederer is at her best on such complicities—her own fondness for assholes, our cultural fascination with monsters—and less convincing when in a dudgeon, or deploying her feelings and experiences as intellectual credentials. Laura Kipnis, The New Republic, 5 May 2023 But the movement is flummoxed now that its style of one-way dialogue and high-dudgeon shaming is provoking sharp backlash from illiberal strongmen, right-wing populists, and the mass constituencies that support these strongmen around the globe. Jack Snyder, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dudgeon
Noun
  • Among agonized grunts and huffs, Probst narrated the fumbles.
    Sarah Grant, New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2026
  • David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.
    Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The incident sparked a firestorm of anger, much focussed on the BBC for not removing Davidson’s tic from its broadcast.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The North Austin school district is the latest in Texas contending with declining enrollment and fiscal challenges to discuss closing campuses, a strategy that’s led to community heartache and anger from families.
    Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The other parents joined them, one or two echoing the incredulity, a mixture of fake consternation, mild indignation, and real pride.
    Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
  • The crosswalk’s removal sparked indignation in Celeste Padilla, who lives nearby.
    Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The administration has failed to provide any evidence that the people killed in the attacks were attempting to bring drugs into the country, and legal experts have taken umbrage at the assertion that drug traffickers can be considered armed combatants.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
  • But Verbeek did take a bit of umbrage with the notion that Sennecke should have been considered a surprise pick.
    Eric Stephens, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • There was a crisp new poster on the easel at the Werth practice facility that displayed the Big East Tournament trophy, not yet mauled in frustration and held together by tape like the regular-season version had been.
    Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The cost of parking, and parking tickets, has long been a frustration for state workers who commute to downtown Sacramento.
    William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Publicly, his expressions of exasperation are a common sight as his Rockets coworkers brick shots or both defensive rotations.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
  • The man gazed at Wilkes, whose expression went from exasperation to shock.
    James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Today, an entire generation of young Californians are resigned to life-long rental payments, which breed resentment and harm their long-term economic stability.
    Matt Mahan, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Major purchases tied to mystery investors have sparked anger and resentment in Malibu.
    Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The administration has tried everything in its toolbox to stop it, based on not data or studies or anything much beyond rich-old-man pique.
    Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 3 Mar. 2026
  • Their latest collection launched this week, offering men’s straight jeans and women’s baggy jeans alongside sporty items like half-zip sweatshirts, pique polo shirts and boxy oxford shirts.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 27 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Dudgeon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dudgeon. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

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