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 Expand All Members of a private Facebook group representing the area surrounding the far north Fort Worth Heritage neighborhood took umbrage at having one their leaders called a narcissist by a member of the Keller school board. Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Jan. 2025 Cronin took umbrage with that technical, earning a second technical and an early exit to the Bruins’ locker room. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2025 Trump takes umbrage at Biden’s actions during transition period Tonally, one of the most striking things about the news conference was President-elect Trump’s obvious irritation at some actions taken by President Biden in the period since the election. Niall Stanage, The Hill, 7 Jan. 2025 Some took umbrage with Jerry Reinsdorf, who's long been the subject of criticism from pundits and the Chicago faithful. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for umbrage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbrage
Noun
  • Volunteers were charged around 25 cents per huff, bringing in good profit for those who’d invested in the necessary gas tanks, tubes, and breathing bags.
    Oshan Jarow, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
  • The huffs and hums, produced by two women standing face-to-face and vocalizing from their throats, is believed to be one of the oldest music forms in the world.
    Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2024
Noun
  • Other footage showed similar instances of anger, such as when Ruby Franke expressed frustration at her husband for not being interactive enough on camera.
    Angela Yang, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Even the mere thought of it can evoke strong emotions like fear, anger and anxiety.
    Ujjwal Ramtekkar, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The car is filled with tension, with Basel’s frustration and Yuval’s exasperation.
    Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Many meteorologists took to social media to vent their frustrations.
    Andrew Freedman, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • If Jude’s previous two fiction films were Molotov cocktails of indignation, his latest secretes a kind of scentless poison that gets at the banality with which social injustices are processed and rationalized.
    Beatrice Loayza, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
  • There was a pervasive sense of indignation from current and former European officials, who have funneled significant aid to Ukraine and are deeply worried about how a ceasefire deal could impact the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) eastern edge.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 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
  • Instead, the high dudgeon now heard in Tennant’s fey voice gives too much weight to the smugness of group-thinkers.
    Armond White, National Review, 18 Sep. 2024
Noun
  • The car is filled with tension, with Basel’s frustration and Yuval’s exasperation.
    Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2025
  • But only Pereira and those inside the club will have a clear idea of the extent to which that version of the player has already been lost to them or whether he can be coaxed back to his best following the frustration and exasperation that took hold at Chelsea.
    Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • For instance, a sarcastic comment brushed off as a joke, or unspoken expectations that fuel resentment.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Friendships that last from childhood into middle age can be messy, with many hidden resentments and vulnerabilities.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Mild symptoms of bird flu in humans include eye redness and irritation, mild fever, cough and fatigue.
    Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
  • That worker reported eye irritation, a possible symptom of bird flu, two days before the cat got sick.
    Jonel Aleccia, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Umbrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbrage. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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