false indignation

USAGE SUMMARY

"false indignation" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation where someone pretends to be outraged or offended when they are not genuinely so. Example: "Her false indignation over the minor issue was clearly an attempt to divert attention from her own mistakes." Alternative expressions include "feigned outrage" and "pretended anger."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Politics

General Discourse

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Other athletes have ferociously denied allegations, and pursued their accusers, for far longer and with far more false indignation.

The New York Times - Sports

Dig through the bluster and false indignation and hypocrisy, and it was a scene straight out of "Casablanca".

The New York Times - Sports

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

The New York Times

Eric Pickles, the Tory chairman, said today that attempts by Labour to prolong the controversy amounted to "rank hypocrisy and political opportunism .Pickles accused Labour of "false indignation over non-doms" because Labour has also taken money from non-dom donors.

The Guardian

Asked by the BBC whether he would apologise or comply with a demand from Miliband for him to resign, he said: "Well, if someone can explain anything that I said as factually incorrect of course I would consider it...People are slightly spinning and loading into what I said in a way to get false indignation".

The Guardian

"What I think we have here is false indignation from people who are politically motivated".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

With conservative attacks on Clinton's emails we have the political equivalent of a Turducken: a terrible case of false equivalency wrapped in phony indignation stuffed uncomfortably into affected righteous indignation.

Huffington Post

Her indignation seems a false step.

The New York Times - Arts

(The reactions of most Alaskans who read about his death ranged from annoyance to indignation). And what "false being"?

The New York Times - Books

That is a typical ploy of the right: make a false claim, and then express indignation about the falsehood.

Huffington Post

There, El Paso's former congressman and a possible Democratic 2020 presidential candidate, Beto O'Rourke, joined other locals who spoke of El Paso and neighboring Juarez, Mexico, as one community and expressed indignation over Trump's false characterization of their city as a violent one in last week's State of the Union address.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "false indignation", ensure the context clearly indicates that the displayed outrage is not genuine and is being used for manipulative or strategic purposes.

Common error

Avoid using "false indignation" when the anger expressed is actually real, even if it seems disproportionate or misguided. The key is the intent behind the display.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "false indignation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or subject complement within a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing a specific instance or characteristic of behavior. It modifies the noun "indignation" with the adjective "false", indicating a lack of genuineness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "false indignation" is a noun phrase denoting insincere or feigned outrage. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its prevalent usage in News & Media, where it serves to critique or expose manipulative expressions of anger. While not exceedingly common, this phrase is a powerful tool for conveying skepticism and exposing pretense. When crafting your writing, be mindful of the context to accurately portray the intent behind the expressed emotion. Consider using alternative phrases like "feigned outrage" or "sham indignation" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feigned outrage

Focuses on the act of pretending to be outraged.

sham indignation

Highlights the deceptive nature of the indignation.

pretended outrage

Stresses the lack of genuine feeling behind the display of indignation.

simulated anger

Emphasizes the artificiality of the anger being displayed.

contrived outrage

Suggests the outrage is deliberately created for a specific purpose.

artificial indignation

Highlights the unnatural and manufactured quality of the indignation.

insincere outrage

Directly points out the lack of sincerity in the expressed outrage.

affected indignation

Implies that the indignation is put on or assumed for effect.

hypocritical outrage

Suggests the person expressing outrage is guilty of the same behavior.

theatrical display of anger

Focuses on the dramatic and performative aspect of the expressed anger.

FAQs

How can I identify "false indignation" in someone's behavior?

Look for inconsistencies between the expressed outrage and the person's actual actions or beliefs. Also, consider whether the display of indignation serves a specific purpose for that person, such as shifting blame or gaining sympathy.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "false indignation"?

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

Is "false indignation" always a negative trait?

Yes, the phrase "false indignation" inherently carries a negative connotation, as it implies deception and manipulation through the pretense of anger or outrage.

What's the difference between "false indignation" and righteous indignation?

"False indignation" is insincere and often used for personal gain, while righteous "righteous indignation" is genuine anger sparked by injustice or moral wrongdoing.