Definition of indignationnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun indignation differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of indignation are anger, fury, ire, rage, and wrath. While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," indignation stresses righteous anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful.

a comment that caused general indignation

When can anger be used instead of indignation?

The synonyms anger and indignation are sometimes interchangeable, but anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.

tried to hide his anger

When could ire be used to replace indignation?

The words ire and indignation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.

cheeks flushed with ire

How are the words rage and fury related as synonyms of indignation?

Both rage and fury suggest loss of self-control from violence of emotion.

shook with rage
could not contain his fury

When is it sensible to use wrath instead of indignation?

While the synonyms wrath and indignation are close in meaning, wrath is likely to suggest a desire or intent to punish or get revenge.

I feared her wrath if I was discovered

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 indignation When one’s sense of basic fairness is violated, indignation runs high. Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026 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 The indignation, understandably, began to grow. Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for indignation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indignation
Noun
  • The decision closed a flashpoint case that has bitterly divided Israel since the soldiers were arrested in 2024 at the notorious Sde Teiman military prison, prompting anger from members of the far-right government and hard-line ultranationalists who violently overran the prison in protest.
    JULIA FRANKEL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026
  • At the cemetery, drug-war widows unleashed on him the full force of their anger and anguish.
    Sheila Coronel, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Any proposal to increase taxes on that same November ballot — however justified — is almost certainly doomed, and might even add to the miasma of faux outrage that’s already surrounding the statewide tax cut.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
  • As the dust slowly settles, Democrats predict a wave of outrage, especially over the new voting restrictions.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Certainly, the mere discussion of police killing unarmed civilians ought to be enough to fill an audience with fury, but the movie ends up with too sanitized and too academic an approach to afford viewers the room for these emotions.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
  • January's wave of protests in Iran was sparked by economic discontent and eventually widened to encompass more generalized fury over the regime's system of repression.
    NBC News, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Joe Biden’s efforts to be the most pro-labor president in history didn’t spare him the wrath of young Starbucks employees who accused him of complicity in genocide.
    George Packer, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
  • The second-year former first-round draft pick didn’t even have to be on the floor to face Doncic’s wrath.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Hoover’s books inspire obsession, rage, devotion, the kind of energy that makes people purchase limited edition copies or declare themselves her biggest haters.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The visionary who saved rage rap from eternal Carti pastiche?
    Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Lamps and fittings in bedrooms can easily be dimmed using an iPad, creating more theatrical mood settings than a stage lighting console.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The mood in Dubai reflects that resilience, Jafar said.
    Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 17 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Indignation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indignation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.

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