indignation
- 01 C1 Advanced
a feeling of anger that you have when you think something is unfair or dishonest.
righteous anger or annoyance aroused by something perceived as an injustice, an indignity, or a violation of one's values.
Simple“The workers felt great indignation at the news that their pay would be cut.”
In context“The public's indignation grew as more details emerged regarding the government's failure to address the housing crisis.”
UsageOften used with the prepositions 'at', 'about', or 'over'.
Teacher's tipWhile 'anger' is a general term, 'indignation' implies that the person feels they have a moral right to be angry because a rule or standard was broken.
PitfallHe felt indignation for the new law. He felt indignation at the new law.Use the preposition 'at' or 'about' to describe the cause of the indignation.
SynonymsAntonyms
“The supreme-being conceit dilutes a bit – but our host’s righteous indignation and strong performing chops make this a compelling hour.”
From Middle English indignacioun, borrowed from Old French indignation, from Latin indignātiō, from indignor (“to scorn, resent”), from indignus (“unworthy, not fitting”), from in- (“not”) + dignus (“worthy, appropriate”). Attested since ca. 1374. Doublet of indignatio.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.