indignant
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of indignant
First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin indignant- (stem of indignāns, present participle of indignārī “to deem unworthy, take offense”), equivalent to in- in- 3 + dign-, stem of dignus “worthy” + -ant- -ant
Explanation
When you're indignant, you're angry about an unfair situation. If you discovered that a teacher gave ten extra points on a test to all students who sat in the front row, you'd be indignant. Indignant is from Latin indignus "unworthy," and it refers to anger based on unworthy or unfair behavior rather than merely injury to one's own interests. You may be angry, even furious, if someone shoves you, but you are indignant if the shove is directed at someone weak or helpless. The related noun is indignation, and something that arouses indignation is an indignity.
Vocabulary lists containing indignant
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 1
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The Outsiders
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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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.
Florio was indignant that the accident didn’t become public sooner, yet he defended Simms for not breaking the story.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
It’s an indignant question, one she’s asked herself repeatedly this past year, a time of “total shock” during which she and her husband found themselves in the wilderness instead of the White House.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 4, 2026
"I finally rang up the Michelin Guide because I was indignant, I knew we were good enough," said the outgoing Great British Bake Off judge.
From BBC ● May 27, 2026
For the first time, I register Dr. Becky’s affect as angry, indignant.
From Slate ● May 10, 2026
Duane then turned back toward the indignant puffin across the river.
From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el
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.
