become indignant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become indignant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone feels anger or annoyance due to perceived unfair treatment or injustice. Example: "After hearing the unfair accusations, she began to become indignant and defended her actions passionately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

When you pointed this out to his supporters during the election, many would become indignant.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Liberals become indignant; radicals become fighting mad and go into action".

The Guardian - Opinion

To be frank, I too become indignant at deliberately provocative uses of hallowed religious or national symbols.

The New York Times

Even though we did not evolve under conditions that predisposed us to become indignant about climate change, we can learn to take such risks more seriously.

The New York Times

During the squall over Mr. Lazio's stock investments, he told reporters that his wife had become indignant, retorting: "I clean my own house.

The New York Times

I wince when I hear stay-at-home acquaintances slam an employed mother and become indignant when working friends wonder what stay-at-home moms do all day.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Called out, Goldsmith became indignant.

The Guardian

That is when Harrington became indignant.

The New York Times - Sports

When I betrayed a flash of nonchalance, she became indignant.

The New York Times - Travel

"So if he becomes indignant and denies everything what're you gonna do?

The New Yorker

After Hilton and other observers decried Banks's language, she became indignant.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become indignant" to describe a gradual process of feeling anger or resentment, often in response to perceived injustice or unfair treatment. This phrase is more suitable when portraying a character's emotional development or a group's collective outrage over time.

Common error

Avoid using "become indignant" to describe a sudden, instantaneous reaction. This phrase is best suited for depicting a gradual escalation of anger, not a flash of immediate fury. For sudden anger, consider "fly into a rage" or "erupt in anger."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become indignant" functions as a verb phrase indicating the process of experiencing or displaying indignation. It describes a change in emotional state, moving towards a state of anger and resentment as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become indignant" is a valid and usable expression in English, indicating the process of feeling or showing indignation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not extremely common, it appears across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Encyclopedias, suggesting a neutral register. To avoid misuse, remember that "become indignant" portrays a gradual process, not a sudden outburst. Consider using alternatives like "feel outraged" or "grow resentful" for different shades of meaning. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively employ "become indignant" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be outraged

Implies a higher degree of anger and moral indignation.

feel affronted

Stresses the feeling of being openly insulted or disrespected.

become infuriated

Signifies an intense state of anger and frustration.

grow resentful

Focuses on the building feeling of bitterness and displeasure rather than immediate anger.

feel aggrieved

Focuses on the sense of injustice and being wronged.

get aggravated

Emphasizes the increasing irritation or annoyance one experiences.

bristle at

Suggests a defensive reaction due to feeling threatened or challenged.

grow angry

Indicates a gradual increase in anger.

take offense

Highlights the personal feeling of being insulted or disrespected.

get worked up

Suggests becoming agitated and emotionally aroused.

FAQs

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

You can use "become indignant" to describe someone gradually feeling anger or resentment in response to a perceived injustice. For instance, "He began to "become indignant" as he listened to the accusations against him." Use it to show the process of someone turning angry.

What's a good alternative for "become indignant"?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, alternatives to "become indignant" include "feel outraged", "grow resentful", or "take offense". Each carries slightly different connotations regarding the intensity and reason for the anger.

Is it correct to say "became indignant" or "become indignant"?

"Became indignant" is the past tense form, used to describe an event that has already happened. "Become indignant" is the infinitive form, used with auxiliary verbs or in general statements. Example: "They will "become indignant" if they find out." and "She "became indignant" after hearing the news."

When is it appropriate to use "become indignant" versus "becoming indignant"?

"Become indignant" is used in general statements or future scenarios, while "becoming indignant" (the present participle) describes an ongoing process. Example: "It is easy to "become indignant" when faced with injustice," versus "She was "becoming indignant" as she listened to the testimony."