Indignant: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when someone feels strong displeasure at something perceived as unfair or unjust.

• She was indignant when she found out her colleague was promoted unfairly.
• The students felt indignant about the new school policy.

Use for a general feeling of strong displeasure or hostility.

• He was angry when he missed the bus.
• They were angry at the new rules.

Use when someone feels a strong, often public, reaction to something shocking or morally offensive.

• The community was outraged by the news of the scandal.
• He was outraged by the injustice of the situation.

Use when someone is extremely angry and infuriated, often to a higher degree than 'angry'.

• The customer was incensed when he discovered his order was canceled without notice.
• She was incensed by his rude remarks.

Used when someone feels that something is unfair or unjust. This word often feels more personal and is about perceived wrongs.

• She became indignant when she was falsely accused of cheating.
• He gave an indignant reply to the unfair criticism.

Used when someone is furious about something that is morally or ethically wrong, often in a public context.

• The community was outraged by the new policy.
• She felt outraged by the unfair treatment.

Used when someone is extremely angry, often to the point of livid rage.

• The customer was incensed by the poor service.
• He was incensed when he found out he had been lied to.

A general term for experiencing strong displeasure or hostility about something.

• He was angry because he missed the bus.
• She felt angry after hearing about the delay.