indignant

adjective

in·dig·nant in-ˈdig-nənt

Synonyms of indignant next

: feeling or showing anger because of something unjust or unworthy : filled with or marked by indignation

became indignant at the accusation

indignantly adverb

Example Sentences

Melville was so struck by the drama of the Essex (deliberately battered by an indignant and maddened whale, which at last brained itself by sinking the ship) that he used it as the end of Moby-Dick. —

Paul Theroux, New York Times Book Review, 11 June 2000

What you really need is a story that will not only excuse tardiness but encourage your boss to give you the entire day off. … Should anyone give you the third degree on your return to work, don't hesitate to become indignant and stomp out of the room. —

Jeff Foxworthy, No Shirt. No Shoes. No Problem!, 1996

When the Roman soldiers were asked to take part in the Claudian invasion of 43, they waxed indignant. This was asking them to carry on a campaign "outside the limits of the known world." —

Antonia Fraser, The Warrior Queens, 1988

She wrote an indignant letter to the editor. He was very indignant about the changes. an indignant tone of voice See More

Recent Examples on the Web But some politicians were indignant, saying that the U.S. president's trip to the Ukrainian capital was a deliberate attempt to aggravate Russia. —

Ann M. Simmons, WSJ, 20 Feb. 2023 Sitting just a few seats away from Wise, Berg was visibly indignant during his remarks and quickly rose to respond. —

Tessa Duvall Lexington Herald-leader (tns), al, 9 Feb. 2023 Fox was still indignant that the National Marine Fisheries Service had not used his study, but there was some good news. —

Andrew S. Lewis, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2023 In the film, Foy portrays the indignant and fiercely protective Salome, who wishes for revenge on the men who attacked her young daughter. —

Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2022 Claus, at the start of the film, is disillusioned and indignant and suffering from a centuries-long case of burnout. —

Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 3 Dec. 2022 DiCaprio reluctantly agreed to read and was indignant until the camera was rolling, Cameron claimed. —

Ryan Parker, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2022 And her resting face did have a certain indignant quality. —

Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 1 Nov. 2022 How many more conspiracies, analyses and righteously indignant reactions can our fragile democracy/constitutional republic bear? —

Jeanette Marantosstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'indignant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Latin indignant-, indignans, present participle of indignari to be indignant, from indignus unworthy, from in- + dignus worthy — more at decent

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of indignant was in 1590

See more words from the same year