umbrage

noun

ˈəm-brij How to pronounce umbrage (audio)
Definition of umbragenext
as in huff
the feeling of being offended or resentful after a slight or indignity took umbrage at the slightest suggestion of disrespect

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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 When Greg installs a latch lock on the inside of his door so that Walt can’t barge in at any time, Walt takes umbrage to this bid for privacy. —Erin Qualey, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026 In the Senate, Glenneda Zuiderveld took umbrage with a section in the resolution about cloud seeding, a type of weather modification that typically tries to increase the amount of rain or snow. —Idaho Statesman, 13 Apr. 2026 The 72-year-old coach took umbrage with the NCAA for not consulting the players or coaches before making changes to the tournament’s format. —Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for umbrage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbrage
  1. huff
  2. anger
  3. frustration
  4. indignation
  5. resentment
  6. dudgeon
  7. exasperation
  8. irritation
Noun
  • Among agonized grunts and huffs, Probst narrated the fumbles.
    — Sarah Grant, New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2026
  • David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.
    — Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Definition of huff
Noun
  • To allow your anger at the cosmic unluckiness of a friend’s far-too-early passing be overwhelmed by your gratitude at the cosmic luckiness of ever having met them at all.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 15 May 2026
  • The past has a way of forcing its way into the present through memory, guilt, shame, anger and, in many cases, emotional breakdowns.
    — Jerry Colonna, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Definition of anger
Noun
  • Viola’s reaction spotlighted growing frustration among competitors who believe the ruling body is using procedural fixes to avoid addressing biological differences in girls' sports.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
  • Many of them came from north Denver, where neighbors have expressed frustration about a CoreSite data center there.
    — Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 19 May 2026
Definition of frustration
Noun
  • These justices have shown no particular alarm or regret over the sweeping attack on Black voting power that has followed their erosion of the VRA, displaying instead a haughty indignation that anyone would criticize their decisions or rationale.
    — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
  • Where is the indignation about this from politicians, community leaders and clergy?
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
Definition of indignation
Noun
  • Rather than silently internalizing tension, partners who processed small relational strains together appeared better able to maintain emotional connection and prevent resentment from accumulating.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
  • Wilde and Seth Rogen play longtime marrieds harboring a laundry list of resentments who host their upstairs neighbors (Penélope Cruz, Edward Norton) for an evening of fun.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Definition of resentment
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
Definition of dudgeon
Noun
  • The city fumbled the rollout of the parks bond and now the residents are paying — in both money and exasperation, Inserra noted.
    — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026
  • Rick asked her in exasperation one day.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
Definition of exasperation
Noun
  • The cream is marketed to help relieve eczema symptoms including itching, dryness, redness, cracking and irritation.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
  • In animal studies, the system reduced blood pressure levels while avoiding much of the irritation and tissue damage associated with traditional implants.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026
Definition of irritation

Browse Nearby Words

umbra
umbrage
umbrageous
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Cite this Entry

“Umbrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbrage. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on umbrage

Nglish: Translation of umbrage for Spanish Speakers

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