umbrage

Definition of umbragenext

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 Met by protests Brittin was met at the front of the BBC’s New Broadcasting House HQ in London by a small group of protesters holding National Union of Journalists placards, taking umbrage with the layoffs in the BBC News division. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 18 May 2026 In February, Charli also shared a companion album for Emerald Fennell’s film adaptation of Wuthering Heights, which featured John Cale and Sky Ferreira (although Ferreira took some umbrage with the release, claiming that the soundtrack drew significantly on her old demos). Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 10 May 2026 Desmond took particular umbrage with that program. Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026 Some might take umbrage over that absence, others might be content in just wanting to relive the music that moved them so back when. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for umbrage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbrage
Noun
  • Rhodes celebrated with the crowd at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, while Gunther walked back up the entrance ramp in a huff.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
  • David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.
    Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • And public anger grew after video showed an activist being dragged by a private security guard while demonstrating at the site.
    Zana Cimili, Fortune, 12 June 2026
  • Just the pure, raw anger out of AJ McCarron here is second to none.
    Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • Those frustrations turned to elation last summer when not only did Uzbekistan finally qualify, but did so with a game to spare when edging out the United Arab Emirates and Qatar in their group.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 10 June 2026
  • Rajoub refused the entreaty, much to the frustration and embarrassment of Infantino.
    Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
Noun
  • Others use their out-of-office emails to either apologize profusely for time away or highlight their indignation at being tied to work or the internet in the first place.
    Isabel Fattal, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
  • My earliest World Cup memory—a six-year-old’s spiral of indignation and despair—is of Diego Maradona’s dastardly Hand of God, which eliminated England in the quarterfinals of the 1986 edition, in Mexico.
    Sam Knight, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • Gregory's decision to leave law wasn't rooted in resentment toward the profession.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
  • In the aftermath, resentment grew about how OPD responded to the shooting.
    Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • Maybe the high public dudgeon is just envy masquerading as principle.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 12 June 2026
  • 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
Noun
  • Their frustration comes near the end of a months-long ticketing process that has elicited outrage and exasperation among fans across North America and around the world.
    Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 3 June 2026
  • Sitting inside Taqueria Hoy’s Orange location on a spring morning, De Anda, better known to family and regulars as Don Rafa and his sons, Raphael and Christian, talked about their 24-hour restaurants the way people talk about a family member, with affection, exasperation and pride.
    Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
Noun
  • The formula doesn’t leave any burning, itching, or irritation in its wake.
    Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 14 June 2026
  • Start low, go slow, buffer over moisturizer to reduce irritation.
    Allison Palmer Updated June 13, Miami Herald, 13 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Umbrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbrage. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.

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