with false indignation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with false indignation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is pretending to be offended or outraged, often in a sarcastic or insincere manner. Example: "She responded with false indignation when her colleague pointed out her mistake, clearly knowing she was at fault."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 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

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

But Republicans have taken the false indignation of double standards to a level rarely before seen in our political discourse.

Huffington Post

I'm sure some of you will continue to respond with self-righteous indignation or with fear of me and my message.

Archives of Sexual Behavior

He was trembling with hurt, indignation.

The New Yorker

Hayek turns to me with quiet indignation.

The New York Times

It now appears the chairman reacted with righteous indignation.

The New York Times

With rising indignation, Mr. Jenkins criticized the secret fund.

The New York Times

His views are trenchant and sometimes hum with moral indignation.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with false indignation" to convey that someone is exaggerating or faking their outrage to manipulate a situation or avoid responsibility. It's particularly effective in describing political maneuvering or interpersonal drama.

Common error

Avoid using "with false indignation" when the person's anger might be justified, even if their expression seems excessive. Reserve this phrase for situations where the insincerity is clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with false indignation" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig indicates it's grammatical and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "with false indignation" is used to describe someone reacting with insincere or feigned outrage. Grammatically, it functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner of the action. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, while cautioning that its usage should be reserved for scenarios where the insincerity of the indignation is apparent. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media contexts, where it's used to analyze and critique displays of feigned anger. Alternatives include "with feigned outrage" and "with mock indignation". The power of the phrase lies in its ability to convey skepticism and highlight manipulative intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with feigned outrage

Replaces "false indignation" with a more direct synonym for insincere anger, "feigned outrage".

with mock indignation

Substitutes "false" with "mock", emphasizing the insincerity of the indignation.

with affected indignation

Uses "affected" to highlight that the indignation is put on or artificial.

with insincere outrage

Replaces "indignation" with "outrage", maintaining the focus on pretended anger.

with a show of indignation

Emphasizes that the indignation is a performance or display, rather than genuine feeling.

with a pretense of outrage

Highlights that the "outrage" is a deceptive act or facade.

with theatrical indignation

Suggests the indignation is exaggerated and dramatic, like a stage performance.

under the guise of indignation

Indicates that indignation is being used to conceal a different, possibly ulterior, motive.

in a feigned fit of pique

Replaces "indignation" with "pique", suggesting a milder, more petulant form of false anger.

with counterfeit anger

Directly states that the anger is not real, using the word "counterfeit".

FAQs

How can I use "with false indignation" in a sentence?

The phrase "with false indignation" typically follows a verb describing someone's reaction, such as "He responded with false indignation when accused of plagiarism".

What's a good alternative to "with false indignation"?

Consider using alternatives like "with feigned outrage", "with mock indignation", or "with affected indignation" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always negative to describe someone as reacting "with false indignation"?

Yes, the phrase inherently implies insincerity or manipulation. It suggests the person is not genuinely upset but is pretending for some advantage.

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

"With righteous indignation" describes genuine anger at a perceived injustice, while "with false indignation" describes feigned or insincere anger. They are near opposites.