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indignation

indignation

39 5.5
Anger you feel when someone treats you unfairly
  • noun
  • /ˌɪndɪɡˈneɪʃən/
translation icon : indignación
  • Eliminating the use of the primary language caused fear, indignation, and great concern for the children.
  • moral indignation
  • righteous indignation
  • express indignation

You also spoke about how you could use righteous indignation to compel people to do stuff.

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Examples

  • In retelling the story, she bristled with indignation: "My husband tricked me."

    Academic text (1993)
  • I understand your indignation, ma'am.

  • You have much cause for indignation.

  • Sometimes you need a word to express indignation against things in general.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • The government and media together in this case kept publicity and indignation at a minimum.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Your generation must speak out with righteous indignation against the forces which are seeking to to destroy us.

  • The establishment of the AISBEG grant category was met with indignation from the beginning.

    Academic text (1999)
  • My pulse was racing and my fingers trembled as wave after wave of indignation swept over me.

  • These dramatic videotapes, secretly obtained by animal rights activists, have aroused public indignation.

  • Her indignation was palpable when she heard about the unfair treatment of the workers.

Synonyms

anger
vsindignation
957 1.0

A very strong feeling of being upset or annoyed

is a strong negative feeling caused by perceived unfairness rather than broad hostility
resentment
vsindignation
172 4.2

A long, strong feeling of anger toward someone who treated you unfairly

is less about long bitterness and more about immediate anger at injustice
outrage
vsindignation
152 3.7

A strong feeling of anger and shock about something unfair

is general anger or annoyance at perceived unfairness without shock
grievance
vsindignation
89 5.8

A complaint about something unfair, often made formally to people in charge

is an emotional anger or annoyance at unfair treatment rather than a formal complaint
bitterness
vsindignation
75 3.4

A strong feeling of anger and hurt toward someone

is about anger or annoyance at perceived unfair treatment rather than lasting hostility
displeasure
vsindignation
28 3.9

A feeling of being annoyed or not happy about something

is stronger, involving sharp reaction to perceived unfair treatment rather than mild dissatisfaction
ire
vsindignation
  • Formal
22 7.9

Strong anger you feel when someone does something unfair

is anger or annoyance specifically triggered by perceived unfair treatment
umbrage
vsindignation
9 9.8

A feeling of being hurt and angry when someone says or does something

is anger or annoyance specifically about perceived unfair treatment rather than mere offence
dudgeon
vsindignation
  • Archaic
3 9.9

A strong angry feeling because you are treated unfairly

is milder and refers to anger or annoyance at perceived unfair treatment
indignance
vsindignation
1 7.2

A strong feeling of anger when something seems unfair

has the same meaning and focuses on perceived unfair treatment
aggrievement
vsindignation
9.0

A feeling of being treated unfairly

expresses anger or annoyance caused by perceived injustice rather than only feeling wronged
infuriation
vsindignation
7.9

A strong feeling of anger and impatience

is anger or annoyance caused specifically by perceived unfairness rather than general fury
enragement
vsindignation
7.9

A strong feeling of anger and impatience

is anger or annoyance linked to perceived unfairness rather than raw intense fury

Antonyms

104 2.7

Being approved or welcomed by other people

26 2.1

A feeling of being happy and satisfied with your life

How Indignant

rage
393 3.4
outrage
152 3.7
indignation
39 5.5
annoyance
26 2.8

Surface Forms

indignation singular
indignations plural

Morphology

indignation = indignant (semi-transparent) = indign + ation

A learner who knows 'indignant' can often infer 'indignation' as the corresponding noun, but the Latinate form change makes the relationship less fully obvious.

Etymology

Indignation comes from Latin parts in- meaning 'not' and dignus meaning 'worthy', and you can see the same root in the word dignity. So, indignation is the strong anger you feel when someone or something is seen as 'not worthy' or is treated unfairly.