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 Hunter also took umbrage at a comment from one of Sheryl’s brothers about her, the judge, taking Ferguson away from his adult son after the son had already lost his mother. Sean Emery, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025 Move too quickly, and the die-hards who flock to Fox News and Fox Sports will take umbrage. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 15 Sep. 2025 That Carroll took such umbrage only increased Harbaugh’s smile, making for a better story. Jay Paris, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 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 See All Example Sentences for umbrage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbrage
Noun
  • Lloyd evaded a diving Mahomes, Kareem Hunt and a streaking Tyquan Thornton for a huff-and-puff 99-yard interception return for a touchdown.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Kemp looked at the ceiling and blew a huff of air when Schwartz announced the sentence.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • But in Israel, some of the relief felt in the wake of the agreement has been eclipsed by anger that Hamas so far has released only the remains of nine of the 28 deceased hostages held in Gaza.
    Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The Owensboro news media and some white onlookers insist that when the lady sheriff didn’t show up to act as executioner, there was anger in the press’s unmet expectations, which then was taken out on the crowd, with the reporters lying about the audience’s unruly behavior.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That doesn’t mean Ohtani’s frustrations aren’t bleeding through.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Bergeron said producers broke an agreement to avoid partisan bookings, prompting him to publicly voice his frustration.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • She was particularly distressed by Kennedy’s June decision to fire the entire vaccine advisory board and stack it with his allies, but recent months have offered even more opportunities for stress and indignation.
    Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2025
  • McBride sets the political context for Swift’s savage indignation by noting that 1727–1729 saw three successive harvest failures in Ireland.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 30 Sep. 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
  • Lead singer Brandon Coleman, as usual, puts forth a commanding, soulful vocal that encapsulates the lyric’s seething exasperation and longing for less division.
    Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2025
  • As a model named Carl, stuck in a relationship corrupted by microcelebrity and Instagram view counts, Dickinson ticks with exasperation and sarcastic logic, his jaw clenched, his eyes wide and staring.
    Carrie Battan, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Employees grumble over who gets to park where and how offices were allocated (or who got an office with walls in the first place), exposing deep resentments about favoritism, status, and fairness.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
  • These moments remind us that the work of peace must also begin at home, in towns, schools, and neighborhoods, wherever intolerance and resentment take root across the world.
    Muhammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Many people use ear seeds without issues, but the seeds or tape can cause discomfort, skin irritation, nausea, or dizziness.
    Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 14 Oct. 2025
  • By virtue of its lack of carbs, clear protein doesn’t contain any lactose—a sugar found in dairy that can cause digestive irritation in some people, like bloating and diarrhea.
    Caroline Tien, SELF, 13 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Umbrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbrage. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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