umbrage

Synonym Chooser

How is the word umbrage distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of umbrage are dudgeon, huff, offense, pique, and resentment. While all these words mean "an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity," umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives.

took umbrage at the offer of advice

When would dudgeon be a good substitute for umbrage?

Although the words dudgeon and umbrage have much in common, dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation.

stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon

When could huff be used to replace umbrage?

The words huff and umbrage can be used in similar contexts, but huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause.

in a huff he slammed the door

When is offense a more appropriate choice than umbrage?

While the synonyms offense and umbrage are close in meaning, offense implies hurt displeasure.

takes deep offense at racial slurs

When can pique be used instead of umbrage?

The meanings of pique and umbrage largely overlap; however, pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity.

in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation

When might resentment be a better fit than umbrage?

While in some cases nearly identical to umbrage, resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will.

harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother

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 umbrage When Vice-President Kamala Harris stopped by Call Her Daddy as part of her campaign trail over the weekend, critics took predictable umbrage. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024 The 25-year-old Olympic gold medalist appears to have taken umbrage with that designation and internalized the criticism during the Pacers' playoff push. Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025 Fozzie Bear explained bear markets and Miss Piggy took umbrage at Ted Koppel’s commodities question about pork bellies. Bill Prady, Variety, 3 May 2025 Called out, Tim shared his theory that NCIS’ own Deputy Director burned Torres, but LaRoche took umbrage at the accusation. Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for umbrage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbrage
Noun
  • Getty Images To date, the post has amassed more than 900 comments from TikTok viewers, many of them poking fun at the golden retriever mother's annoyed expression and shallow huffs.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
  • The chute opens, and rambunctious No. 2 bursts out with an impatient huff.
    Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • He’s allowed to feel the frustration and anger at them.
    Eric Thomas, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2025
  • One legacy of Biden’s disastrous 2024 campaign has Democratic anger at the refusal of some elderly politicians to recognize when the time has come to cede the spotlight.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • His populist messaging and anti-establishment persona align with many voters’ frustrations with Washington, the Federal Reserve, and legacy media.
    Becca Bratcher, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
  • As the pressure from the field grew, Burns showed signs of frustration.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 15 June 2025
Noun
  • Daley huffed and puffed with red-faced indignation, even threatening a lawsuit over the intent of an NFL team to whisk Chicago’s proud name off to the northwest suburbs and stomp into suburban soil.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
  • The Austrian government responded with indignation, claiming that the Americans had given them no notice.
    Henry Leutwyler Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • 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
Noun
  • There is still exasperation among some members about the reduction over the last few years in guest passes for the tournament.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 15 June 2025
  • Spieth in particular cut a frustrated figure, dropping his club on the 9th tee after sending his drive into the tall grass and turning to curse in exasperation after hitting an approach shot on 11 that left him with a long putt for birdie.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • This helps prevent confusion, resentment, or unrealistic assumptions—especially under stress.
    Raul Elizalde, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • Unrealistic demands can lead to burnout, resentment and a loss of productivity across the entire team.
    Julia Sullivan, USA Today, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • The formula is lightweight and non-greasy, with a soft, powdery finish that helps prevent irritation without feeling heavy.
    Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 22 June 2025
  • While these could be effective for some people, there might be a risk for burning and irritation, which could further aggravate the pimple.
    Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 20 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Umbrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbrage. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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