indignant
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- half-indignant adjective
- indignantly adverb
- superindignant adjective
- unindignant adjective
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.
Prosecutors said they were unaware the defendant had been deported to Ecuador and victims were left indignant, as much of the loot has not been recovered.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026
They also are indignant about the government unfurling a welcome mat for Fuyao.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026
When the charges were dismissed earlier this year for lack of evidence, Caroline said she was "indignant and disgusted".
From BBC • Oct. 3, 2025
When she interjected that most actors don’t earn much, Hammock became indignant.
From Slate • Jul. 23, 2025
He was capable of mighty paroxysms of righteous indignation, and he was indignant as could be when he learned that a C.I.D. man was in the area looking for him.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
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.
