indignation
Americannoun
noun
Synonym Usage
See anger.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of indignation
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English indignacio(u)n, from Latin indignātiōn-, stem of indignātiō “anger, displeasure,” from indignāt(us) “deemed unworthy, scorned” (past participle of indignārī “to deem unworthy, take offense”; see indignant) + -iō -ion
Explanation
Call your anger at an unjust situation indignation. If recess gets canceled for everyone because two students get into a fight, the rest of the student body will respond with indignation. Indignation traces back to the Latin prefix in- "not" and root dignus "worthy" and means anger at something that is unfair or unjust. Another word for indignation is outrage. Be careful using these words as they have a bit of a negative slant. A person who feels indignation is a little self-righteous and focused on not being treated the way he feels he should be.
Vocabulary lists containing indignation
Of Mice and Men
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Animal Farm
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Refugee
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Indignation spread into South Carolina, where Biden scored a commanding victory in the first-in-the-nation Democratic primary on Feb. 3, which was designed by his campaign to project clear strength.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 9, 2024
Indignation is not the only element in this series, which takes its style from Russian constructivism and its two-color scheme from the Risograph, a Japanese duplicating machine.
From Washington Post • Feb. 11, 2022
Indignation was easy to find but hard to fully express in 2017, but no record save maybe Protomartyr’s “Relatives in Descent” said it better than this rant-and-rhythm record from Nottingham, England.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2017
Indignation occasionally creeps into her voice, as if she’s spent years preaching to an obstinate child who never matures.
From Washington Times • Sep. 1, 2017
Indignation, rage, indecision, agitation and much more crossed his face in rapid succession.
From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
