affected indignation

USAGE SUMMARY

"affected indignation" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a display of anger or outrage that seems insincere or exaggerated. Example: Her affected indignation during the meeting made it clear she was not genuinely upset. Alternative expressions include "feigned outrage" and "pretended anger."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Religious polarisation has sharpened the gap between the parties, sucking believers into the Republican camp and driving the secular to the Democrats.During the raucous fight over health care, Democrats have affected particular indignation over the remark in July of a Republican senator, Jim DeMint of South Carolina, that "if we're able to stop Obama on this, it will be his Waterloo.

The Economist

As her eyes well up, she says, "It fills me with nostalgia… and indignation… because it hasn't affected only me but so many other families in this country".

Vice

I was strangely affected by this news, filled with a mixture of anger and indignation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The other performers, playing prosecutor, defense lawyer and jurors, affect a furiously actorish false indignation as they denounce the principals.

The New York Times

There are also affects combating present evil (anger, indignation) and future evil (faith, daring).

SEP

Backbenchers say they have been inundated with calls from the public expressing anger and indignation at the measure affecting the elderly.

Independent

"Moral indignation did and still does affect me in a direct physical manner," he wrote in 1952.

The New York Times

Public indignation and distrust about priorities may activate democratic leaders in various ways and roles to judge and affect network companies.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Cheney, no child, nevertheless sheltered behind her parents' indignation when John Kerry raised the question of how the Bush-Cheney ticket's opposition to lesbian and gay civil rights would affect the vice president's own daughter.

Huffington Post

Miliband indignation.

Independent

I understand his indignation.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "affected indignation" when you want to emphasize that someone's outrage is not genuine and is being displayed for a specific purpose, such as manipulation or gaining sympathy.

Common error

Avoid using "affected indignation" when describing situations where the outrage is genuinely felt. The phrase implies insincerity, so ensure it aligns with the true emotional state of the subject.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "affected indignation" is to act as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate the type of indignation being displayed. It indicates that the indignation is not genuine but rather put on or exaggerated. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "affected indignation" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe insincere or exaggerated outrage. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. While relatively uncommon, its use is appropriate for conveying skepticism or disapproval, particularly in neutral to formal contexts such as news and analytical writing. Alternative phrases like "feigned outrage" or "pretended anger" can be used to express similar meanings. When using this phrase, ensure that the context accurately reflects insincerity, avoiding its application to genuine emotional responses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feigned outrage

Focuses on the insincerity of the expressed anger, emphasizing its artificial nature.

pretended anger

Highlights the act of simulating anger, suggesting a lack of genuine emotion.

simulated resentment

Emphasizes the imitation of resentment, indicating a calculated display.

contrived outrage

Suggests that the outrage is deliberately planned or created, lacking spontaneity.

insincere anger

Directly points to the lack of genuineness in the expressed anger.

false indignation

Highlights the untruthful nature of the expressed moral outrage or offense.

show of anger

Focuses on the outward display of anger, without necessarily implying its genuineness.

artificial outrage

Emphasizes the lack of natural or spontaneous expression of outrage.

staged anger

Implies that the anger is deliberately set up or planned for effect.

theatrical display of anger

Highlights the dramatic and exaggerated nature of the expression of anger.

FAQs

How can I use "affected indignation" in a sentence?

You can use "affected indignation" to describe someone who is expressing outrage in an insincere or exaggerated way. For example, "Her "affected indignation" during the meeting seemed calculated to sway the audience."

What's the difference between "affected indignation" and genuine anger?

"Affected indignation" implies a display of anger that is not truly felt, often for strategic purposes. Genuine anger, on the other hand, is a sincere emotional response to a perceived wrong.

What can I say instead of "affected indignation"?

You can use alternatives like "feigned outrage", "pretended anger", or "insincere anger depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "affected indignation" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "affected indignation" isn't as common as simpler terms like "anger" or "outrage". It's best used when you specifically want to highlight the insincerity or exaggeration of the emotion.