be indignant with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be indignant with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing feelings of anger or annoyance towards someone or something due to perceived unfair treatment or injustice. Example: "She was indignant with her colleague for taking credit for her work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He is known to be indignant with Poland and Colonel Beck.

Yale University

You'd be indignant with rage.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He was the only man who hated their evil deeds and was indignant with the others.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I myself have often been indignant with older writers, and I know how you must have felt.

The New Yorker

Back in Saudi Arabia, Mr. bin Laden was indignant with corruption in the government and became enraged when King Fahd let American forces, with their rock music and Christian and Jewish troops, wage the Persian Gulf war from Saudi soil in early 1991.

The New York Times

Bart is indignant with Milhouse, who claims he feared damnation of his soul.

Wikipedia

He was indignant with Soviet accounts of a vast capitalist conspiracy against the world's first worker's state, some of which do not even mention the World War; he was equally indignant with the decision to intervene as costly and harmful.

Wikipedia

But why be indignant?

The Guardian - Books

I'd be indignant, furious.

The Guardian

In contrast with the "gentle householders of old," he might be describing his own generation, who could ostensibly be indignant about whatever is left over when Morrissey is not being indignant about things.

The New Yorker

Be indignant!

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be indignant with" when you want to express strong disapproval or moral outrage towards a person or their actions. It suggests a sense of righteous anger.

Common error

Avoid using "be indignant with" in situations where the level of frustration is mild. Reserve it for scenarios where there's a clear sense of injustice or ethical violation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be indignant with" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, expressing a state of feeling or emotion. It describes the subject as experiencing indignation towards a specific person or entity, as Ludwig examples show.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be indignant with" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express strong disapproval or moral outrage directed at a person or their actions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While less common than alternatives like "be angry with", it carries a specific connotation of righteous anger and is typically found in neutral to formal contexts, such as news reports or academic discussions. When writing, use this phrase to convey a sense of ethical violation or injustice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be furious with

Emphasizes a higher intensity of anger than "be indignant with".

be angry at

A more general expression of anger, potentially less formal than "be indignant with".

be outraged by

Implies a sense of moral offense or shock, stronger than simple indignation.

be displeased with

A more subdued expression of dissatisfaction compared to indignation.

be incensed by

Similar to 'be outraged', suggesting a high degree of anger and resentment.

take exception to

A more formal and polite way of expressing disagreement or annoyance.

resent someone's actions

Focuses on the feeling of bitterness or anger towards someone's specific behavior.

deplore someone's conduct

Expresses strong disapproval and condemnation of someone's actions.

fume about

Implies a state of agitated anger and complaining.

have a bone to pick with

An idiom expressing a desire to confront someone about a grievance.

FAQs

How can I use "be indignant with" in a sentence?

You can use "be indignant with" to express strong disapproval or anger toward someone or something. For example, "She was indignant with the company's decision to lay off employees."

What's the difference between "be indignant with" and "be angry with"?

"Be indignant with" often implies a sense of moral outrage or injustice, while ""be angry with"" is a more general expression of displeasure.

What can I say instead of "be indignant with"?

Alternatives include "be furious with", "be outraged by", or "take exception to", depending on the context and level of emotion.

Is "be indignant at" the same as "be indignant with"?

While both express disapproval, "be indignant with" typically targets a person or entity directly, whereas "be indignant at" can refer to a situation or event.