indignant

adjective

in·​dig·​nant in-ˈdig-nənt How to pronounce indignant (audio)
: feeling or showing anger because of something unjust or unworthy : filled with or marked by indignation
became indignant at the accusation
indignantly adverb

Examples of indignant in a Sentence

Melville was so struck by the drama of the Essex (deliberately battered by an indignant and maddened whale, which at last brained itself by sinking the ship) that he used it as the end of Moby-Dick. Paul Theroux, New York Times Book Review, 11 June 2000
What you really need is a story that will not only excuse tardiness but encourage your boss to give you the entire day off.  … Should anyone give you the third degree on your return to work, don't hesitate to become indignant and stomp out of the room. Jeff Foxworthy, No Shirt. No Shoes. No Problem!, 1996
When the Roman soldiers were asked to take part in the Claudian invasion of 43, they waxed indignant. This was asking them to carry on a campaign "outside the limits of the known world." Antonia Fraser, The Warrior Queens, 1988
She wrote an indignant letter to the editor. He was very indignant about the changes. an indignant tone of voice
Recent Examples on the Web Arteta, who looked to be covering as much ground as his players while flitting around his technical area and shouting instructions, was indignant after the decision and was shown a yellow card for his protests. Matias Grez, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 Baker remained indignant that those facts could be used against him or Monica. Greg Fisher, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2024 Then comes a piece of the bomb bay door, its hydraulics still attached; skeins of electrical wires; and a handful of indignant crabs, which are promptly returned to the sea. Carolyn Wells, Longreads, 22 Feb. 2024 To both his supporters and his opponents, the episode revealed Mr. Lai’s blunt, sometimes indignant sense of conviction, a key quality of this doctor-turned-politician who will take office in May, succeeding President Tsai Ing-wen. John Liu, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2024 By the end of his set, Koy sounded indignant, seemingly picking up on how little the crowd was vibing with his comedy. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 8 Jan. 2024 Drake raps with a hushed, indignant delivery, throwing an errant shot at Pharrell that indicates the angry tone wasn’t just for effect. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2023 Kevin Abstract is mellowing out, singing in a low whisper, and trying to abstain from antics that incite indignant threads in fan forums. Vulture, 3 Nov. 2023 After the Hamas attack that killed more than 1,300 Israelis on Oct. 7, many Americans were indignant to see academic and left-wing organizations issuing statements that excused or implicitly endorsed the massacre. Adam Kirsch, WSJ, 26 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'indignant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin indignant-, indignans, present participle of indignari to be indignant, from indignus unworthy, from in- + dignus worthy — more at decent

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of indignant was in 1590

Dictionary Entries Near indignant

Cite this Entry

“Indignant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indignant. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

indignant

adjective
in·​dig·​nant in-ˈdig-nənt How to pronounce indignant (audio)
: filled with or expressing indignation
indignantly adverb

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