be indignant at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be indignant at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing strong displeasure or anger about something perceived as unjust or offensive. Example: "She was indignant at the unfair treatment she received during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Those who subscribe to the modern bent of contextual architecture might be indignant at Gilbert's wildly varying houses of about 1889 at 313 and 315 Garfield Place in Park Slope -- No. 313 tall and thin, with a medieval palette of dark stone, and No. 315 short and wide, with light-colored brick and a much more delicate design, the two forming a sort of architectural Mutt and Jeff.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Tortorella was indignant at the suggestion.

The New York Times - Sports

Broecker is indignant at the suggestion.

The Guardian

In fact, they are indignant at being denied the keys.

The Guardian - Opinion

The students, asked about their professor's harshness, were indignant at the implied criticism of him.

The Economist

He was indignant at first, incredulous that this should happen to him.

The New Yorker

He always eats everything on his plate, and he is indignant at people who leave scraps.

The New Yorker

Burke was indignant at MPs who voted to bar Wilkes from Parliament.

The Economist

Farah had considered staying in a local guesthouse, but her grandmother was indignant at the suggestion.

The New Yorker

The French may have been indignant at the American media treatment of Mr Strauss-Kahn.

The Economist

The father was indignant at the cavalier handling of the case and the exhorbitant bill.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be indignant at" when you want to express strong disapproval or anger towards something you perceive as unjust or offensive. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the indignation.

Common error

Avoid using "be indignant at" in situations that warrant only mild annoyance or displeasure. The term carries a strong connotation of injustice and should be reserved for more serious offenses.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "be indignant at" is to express a state of feeling or emotion, specifically strong displeasure or anger. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be indignant at" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express strong disapproval or anger towards something perceived as unjust or offensive. Ludwig AI affirms its validity, and it appears most commonly in News & Media, but also in Academia and Encyclopedias. When writing, be mindful of using it in situations where a strong sense of injustice is warranted, as misusing it in milder contexts could be an error. Consider alternatives like "outraged by" or "offended by" for similar but nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

angered by

Highlights the act of causing anger.

offended by

Emphasizes the feeling of being personally hurt or upset.

outraged by

Suggests a stronger, more public expression of anger.

incensed by

Implies a state of great anger and indignation.

resentful of

Focuses on a feeling of bitterness or suppressed anger.

annoyed by

Implies a milder form of displeasure.

exasperated by

Suggests frustration and impatience.

displeased with

Indicates a formal expression of dissatisfaction.

take exception to

Highlights a formal disagreement or objection.

irritated by

Indicates a state of slight anger or annoyance.

FAQs

How do I use "be indignant at" in a sentence?

Use "be indignant at" to express strong displeasure or anger about something perceived as unjust or offensive. For example, "She was "indignant at" the unfair treatment she received."

What are some alternatives to "be indignant at"?

You can use alternatives like "outraged by", "offended by", or "resentful of", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "be indignant at" or "be indignant about"?

"Be indignant at" and "be indignant about" are both correct, but "be indignant at" is typically used when referring to a specific action or person, while "be indignant about" is used for a situation or concept.

What does it mean to "be indignant at" something?

To "be indignant at" something means to feel or show anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment.