Word
indignation
Phoneticsin·dig·na·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɪndɪɡˈneɪʃən/
UK/ɪndɪɡnˈeɪʃən/
Uncountable noun
In Japanese
resentment; indignation; anger
Japanese from JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0. Example sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR. All sources.
Definition
n. a feeling of anger that you have when you think something is unfair or dishonest.
n. righteous anger or annoyance aroused by something perceived as an injustice, an indignity, or a violation of one's values.
Examples
“She felt a flash of indignation when he lied to her.”
“The workers expressed their indignation during the meeting after learning about the sudden pay cuts.”
“The editorial was filled with righteous indignation, accusing the local government of systematically ignoring the needs of the city's most vulnerable residents for over a decade.”
Examples
simple
“She felt a flash of indignation when he lied to her.”
contextual
“The workers expressed their indignation during the meeting after learning about the sudden pay cuts.”
complex
“The editorial was filled with righteous indignation, accusing the local government of systematically ignoring the needs of the city's most vulnerable residents for over a decade.”
Usage
Often used with the prepositions 'at', 'about', or 'over'.
Teaching tip
While '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.
Pitfall
He 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.
Real-World Examples
“There are supporters who seem to spend most of the game up on their feet in a state of performative, weaponised indignation, whose entire interaction with the spectacle is an attitude of aggrieved injustice.” “The supreme-being conceit dilutes a bit – but our host’s righteous indignation and strong performing chops make this a compelling hour.” Etymology
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.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 1
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
- Register
- Formal
QR code
englishreference.com/q/indignation