indignation
Americannoun
noun
Synonym Usage
See anger.
Other Word 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
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Animal Farm
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Refugee
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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.
Daniell stared at me, his eyes burning with indignation.
From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026
Ruth Cross Kwansing, a government minister in Kiribati, said the concept of a "Blue Pacific continent" is fundamental to the region, and is driving the indignation.
From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026
The video went viral, encapsulating the prevalent mood of indignation about official nonaction.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026
France's Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, expressed its "indignation" at Ben Gvir's actions and demanded an explanation.
From BBC ● May 20, 2026
To express our indignation we began to take our shopping elsewhere; this provided us with our only revenge.
From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
