dudgeon

USAGE SUMMARY

"dudgeon" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a state of anger or resentment, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "He stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon." Alternative expressions include "in a huff" and "in a rage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

LOW growth, high dudgeon: the euro zone's economies are sputtering to a halt.

The Economist

Britain would be in high dudgeon if its party leaders all came from Eton and Harrow.

The Economist

Surely something is wrong with this picture.Because they are nursing their dudgeon and savouring their victories rather than thinking with care, anti-smokers believe themselves to be upholding liberal social principles when in fact they are traducing them.

The Economist

Once upon a time the answer might have come from the state's textile industry, which is currently in high dudgeon about Mr Bush's willingness to let textile imports take local jobs away.

The Economist

DAVID BROOKS is in high dudgeon today:A normal Republican Party would seize the opportunity to put a long-term limit on the growth of government.

The Economist

Barbara Boxer, who survived an at first powerful challenge from Matt Fong to keep her Senate seat, is an unreconstructed liberal, a devotee of high dudgeon and big spending.

The Economist

Ms Boxer has made her career out of high dudgeon, raging about everything from Pentagon extravagance to the proper temperature for freezing chickens.

The Economist

The Kremlin was this week in high dudgeon because senior Western officials attended a conference in Moscow organised by some of Mr Putin's few remaining opponents.

The Economist

This has caused a lot of high dudgeon amongst Mr Perry's critics, who are incredulous at the idea that Americans would even consider a candidate who has the same Texas twang as George Bush and thunders on about the specious science of climate change.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Important standards are sometimes forged in polite discourse, and sometimes in a crucible of tribal rage, leaving behind a trail of open letters, back-channel sniping, and high-dudgeon blog posts.

The New Yorker

The coal ports currently proposed, including Abbot Point and new coal terminals proposed at Wiggins Island, Raglan Creek, Balaclava Island, Dudgeon Point, and Cape York, would increase total coal tonnage by more than six-fold, from 156 Mt in 2011 to a capacity of 944 Mt by the end of the decade.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dudgeon" to convey a sense of indignant anger or resentment, particularly in formal or literary contexts. Pair it with "high" to emphasize the intensity of the emotion. For example, "He left the meeting in high dudgeon."

Common error

Avoid using "dudgeon" in casual conversation. It sounds stilted. Choose a more common synonym like "annoyance" or "resentment" for everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dudgeon" is as a noun, often used to describe a state of anger or resentment. Ludwig AI's examples show it frequently appears in the phrase "high dudgeon", acting as the object of a preposition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Dudgeon" is a noun denoting a state of indignation or resentment, often intensified by the adjective "high". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While "dudgeon" effectively conveys strong displeasure, its formal tone means it is best reserved for writing or formal speech. Related terms like "resentment" or "annoyance" may be more appropriate for everyday conversation. Understanding the proper context is key to using this word effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resentment

A general feeling of displeasure or indignation at someone or something perceived as unfair.

indignation

Righteous anger or annoyance at perceived injustice or unfair treatment.

umbrage

Feeling offended or resentful as a result of some insult or slight, more formal and less intense.

displeasure

A feeling of dissatisfaction or disapproval, milder than "dudgeon".

irritation

The state of being annoyed, impatient, or angry, less intense.

vexation

The state of being annoyed, frustrated, or worried, slightly more formal.

exasperation

A feeling of intense irritation or annoyance.

wrath

Intense anger, often implying a desire for revenge, a stronger emotion.

ire

Anger, typically in a context of formal or literary usage, similar to "dudgeon".

pique

A feeling of irritation or resentment resulting from a slight, especially to one's pride.

FAQs

How to use "dudgeon" in a sentence?

"Dudgeon" is typically used to describe a state of indignation or resentment. You'll often see it in the phrase "in high dudgeon", as in "He stormed out of the room "in high dudgeon" after the argument".

What does "high dudgeon" mean?

"High dudgeon" signifies a state of intense indignation or resentment. It suggests that someone is not just angry, but deeply offended and displeased, often to the point of demonstrative behavior.

What can I say instead of "dudgeon"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "resentment", "indignation", or "annoyance". The best choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

Is "dudgeon" a common word?

While "dudgeon" isn't an everyday word in casual conversation, it's readily understood and used in more formal writing and speech, particularly in news and media. Ludwig's examples show that the phrase is alive and well.