Get indignant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Get indignant" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a strong feeling of anger or annoyance at something perceived as unfair or wrong. Example: "When she heard the unfair criticism, she couldn't help but get indignant about the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

So, do customers get indignant or angry when they're told the unthinkable?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Recalling Barker's first reaction, Watke testified, "Colonel Barker didn't get indignant when I brought it to his attention.

The New Yorker

Davis's stories have very little in the way of plot; sometimes people get indignant and ask her why she doesn't call them poems or fragments.

The New Yorker

Revolutionaries get indignant about police abuse or ruthless capitalism, and then forgive, in the name of the revolution, every injustice they had otherwise denounced.

The New Yorker

My husband sits in the room half-watching and half-studying astronomy on his laptop - though he always manages to notice and get indignant about diving.

The Guardian - Sport

Instead of enjoying a few juvenile chuckles, however, we watch grown-ups get indignant and hear sad arguments over semantics in the name of integrity.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

He got indignant himself.

The New York Times

Is it worth getting indignant over?

The New York Times - Sports

Rupp still gets indignant when he remembers that Mr. Bradley was too busy to see him immediately.

The New Yorker

"Nobody enjoys seeing dead bodies; I'm not that crazy," says Dr. Lee, who gets indignant when people assume his workday unfurls like a "Quincy" rerun.

The New York Times

When I ask Urban about how, as a woman, she feels about Trump's self-confessed sexually predatory behavior, she gets indignant.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, make sure that the subject experiencing indignation is clearly identified. Clarity enhances the impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "get indignant" for minor annoyances; it is more appropriate for situations evoking genuine moral outrage or strong disapproval.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get indignant" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of becoming angry or expressing strong disapproval. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to describe a reaction to something perceived as unfair or wrong.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "get indignant" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe someone becoming angry or expressing strong disapproval, especially in response to perceived injustice. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's appropriate for both neutral and informal contexts, frequently appearing in news and media. While there are alternative phrases like "become outraged" or "feel offended", "get indignant" specifically suggests a reaction rooted in moral outrage. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants a strong emotional response and is not used for trivial matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Become outraged

Focuses on the resulting state of intense anger rather than the process of becoming angry.

Feel offended

Highlights the personal feeling of being insulted or disrespected.

Take offense

Emphasizes the act of personally feeling wronged by something.

Be insulted

Implies a feeling of disrespect or affront.

Show resentment

Focuses on displaying a feeling of bitterness or indignation.

Express outrage

Emphasizes the outward display of anger and shock.

Be affronted

Suggests a more formal and severe sense of being insulted.

Display indignation

Highlights the act of showing righteous anger.

Grow angry

Focuses on the gradual development of anger.

Flare up

Implies a sudden and intense burst of anger.

FAQs

How can I use "get indignant" in a sentence?

You can use "get indignant" to describe someone's reaction to perceived injustice, for example: "She "got indignant" when she learned about the company's discriminatory practices."

What's a more formal way to say "get indignant"?

More formal alternatives include "become outraged", "express outrage", or "show indignation". These options are suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is it correct to say "become indignant" instead of "get indignant"?

Yes, "become indignant" is a grammatically correct and slightly more formal alternative to "get indignant". Both phrases convey a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "get indignant" and "feel offended"?

"Get indignant" suggests a reaction rooted in moral outrage or a sense of injustice, while "feel offended" implies a more personal sense of being insulted or disrespected.