he got indignant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he got indignant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who has become angry or offended, often in response to perceived injustice or unfair treatment. Example: "When he heard the unfair accusations against him, he got indignant and demanded an explanation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He got indignant himself.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

When I ask Urban about how, as a woman, she feels about Trump's self-confessed sexually predatory behavior, she gets indignant.

The Guardian

Ideally, she said, novels are like metaphors in which everything connects, and she gets indignant when people accuse her of dropping in bits of information for their own sake.

The New York Times

It was only after the piña coladas wore off, early the next morning, in the bedroom that Patty shared with her littler sister so that their middle sister could have her own room to be Creative in: only then did she get indignant.

The New Yorker

And the guy got indignant, cussed them all, "Fifteen cents?

Vice

The guy got indignant like any self-important Harvard professor does, pulled the old "Do you know who I am?" routine, and got arrested as a result.

Huffington Post

Following her 75th, "I'll do it in a minute" (she simply pretended not to hear the first 20 requests, as she kept her eyes glued to the computer screen), she all of a sudden got indignant: "Fine.

Huffington Post

"He got very indignant and said, 'I can ace this with my eyes closed,' " the sergeant recalled.

The New York Times

We asked Todd Haggerty if the Rapids were an underrated side this year, or if they'd stolen those points (just to see if he got really indignant): By hook or by crook, that seems to be the theme of the Rapids' 2014 season.

The Guardian - Sport

He said, 'Your nuts don't look enough like bulls' balls.' I told him that he was the only person to ever tell me that, and then he got all indignant, and he says, 'I tell you what.

Vice

Rupp still gets indignant when he remembers that Mr. Bradley was too busy to see him immediately.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he got indignant" when you want to convey a sense of righteous anger or offense at something considered unfair or unjust. It suggests a reaction rooted in principles or values rather than mere personal frustration.

Common error

Avoid using "he got indignant" when someone is merely slightly annoyed or irritated. "Indignant" implies a stronger sense of moral outrage or injustice, not just a fleeting moment of frustration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he got indignant" functions as a verb phrase expressing a change of state, specifically the act of becoming indignant. The examples in Ludwig show it used to describe a reaction to perceived injustice or offense. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he got indignant" is a grammatically sound and common expression used to describe someone becoming angry or offended, particularly in response to perceived unfairness or injustice. Ludwig AI validates the correctness of the phrase. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, the phrase conveys a sense of moral outrage rather than simple annoyance. When using this phrase, ensure that the context warrants the intensity of indignation, as misapplication can dilute its impact. Alternatives like "he became offended" or "he took offense" may be more appropriate for milder situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he became offended

Focuses on the feeling of being insulted or disrespected.

he took offense

Highlights the act of feeling insulted or aggrieved.

he grew angry

Emphasizes the development of anger over time.

he became outraged

Implies a stronger level of anger and moral indignation.

he bristled at the suggestion

Suggests a visible reaction of annoyance or defensiveness.

he was incensed

Highlights a state of intense anger and fury.

he was infuriated

Suggests being extremely angered or enraged.

he reacted sharply

Focuses on the intensity and immediacy of the response.

he flew into a rage

Implies a sudden and uncontrolled outburst of anger.

he expressed his displeasure

A more formal and restrained way of indicating anger.

FAQs

What does "he got indignant" mean?

The phrase "he got indignant" means he became angry or offended, often in response to something perceived as unfair, unjust, or insulting. It suggests a feeling of righteous anger.

What can I say instead of "he got indignant"?

You can use alternatives such as "he became offended", "he took offense", or "he grew angry", depending on the specific context and the level of intensity you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "he was indignant"?

Yes, "he was indignant" is grammatically correct and conveys the same meaning as "he got indignant". Both phrases indicate that he felt or displayed indignation.

What's the difference between "he got indignant" and "he got angry"?

While both phrases express anger, "he got indignant" implies a specific type of anger rooted in a sense of injustice or unfairness. "He got angry" is a more general expression of displeasure or irritation, without necessarily implying a moral dimension.