righteous indignation
Justified angry response
Righteous indignation is anger that feels morally justified—outrage at perceived injustice, hypocrisy, or wrongdoing.
The phrase implies the anger is not petty or selfish but springs from ethical principle: She felt righteous indignation at the company's treatment of workers.
The term can be used straight or with irony, suggesting someone's moral outrage may be self-serving or overblown.
Intense violent anger
- wrathFierce, punishing anger
- outrageFierce moral indignation
- ireIntense fury
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
seething · incensed · infuriated · fuming · livid · exasperation · umbrage · vexation
Public expression of disapproval
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- crusadeZealous effort for change
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- social justiceFair distribution of opportunities
civil disobedience · demonstration · reform · boycott · march · petition · solidarity · speaking out
Formal public accusation
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- reproachExpression of disappointment
- reproofExpression of blame
criticism · reprimand · condemnation · disapprobation · objection · disfavor · chastisement · admonishment
Moral goodness or merit
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
- conscienceInternal moral sense
rectitude · uprightness · probity · morality · honor · decency · scruples · moral high ground
Denial of fair treatment
- unfairnessUnjust or biased treatment
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
- wrongdoingUnethical or illegal action
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
exploitation · corruption · abuse · violation · transgression · grievance · righting wrongs · accountability
Shocked by wrongness
- scandalizedDeeply offended morally
- disgustedFeeling strong revulsion
- revulsionIntense physical disgust
- abhorrenceExtreme hatred or disgust
repugnance · loathing · detestation · aversion · contempt · disdain · scorn · horror
fury
Intense violent anger
resentment · seething · incensed · infuriated · fuming · livid · exasperation · umbrage · vexation · choler
protest
Public expression of disapproval
social justice · civil disobedience · demonstration · reform · boycott · march · petition · solidarity · speaking out · whistleblowing
denunciation
Formal public accusation
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- reproachExpression of disappointment
reproof · criticism · reprimand · condemnation · disapprobation · objection · disfavor · chastisement · admonishment · castigation
virtue
Moral goodness or merit
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
conscience · rectitude · uprightness · probity · morality · honor · decency · scruples · moral high ground · moral authority
injustice
Denial of fair treatment
- unfairnessUnjust or biased treatment
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
- wrongdoingUnethical or illegal action
oppression · exploitation · corruption · abuse · violation · transgression · grievance · righting wrongs · accountability · retribution
appalled
Shocked by wrongness
- scandalizedDeeply offended morally
- disgustedFeeling strong revulsion
- revulsionIntense physical disgust
abhorrence · repugnance · loathing · detestation · aversion · contempt · disdain · scorn · horror · shock
righteous indignationapathy
Absence of feeling
indifference · unconcern · nonchalance · detachment · dispassion
righteous indignationspite
Petty malicious intent
vindictiveness · sour grapes · butthurt · wounded pride · pique
righteous indignationcomplicity
Shared criminal involvement
acquiescence · collaboration · tacit approval · willful blindness · silent consent
righteous, righteously, righteousness, unrighteous, right, rights, rightly, rightful, rightfully