take umbrage
Bristle at slights
To take umbrage is to feel offended or resentful, often at a perceived slight: She took umbrage at the suggestion that her work was derivative.
The phrase implies a somewhat formal or exaggerated sense of offense—taking umbrage sounds more dignified than simply being annoyed.
Someone who takes umbrage readily may be thin-skinned or quick to perceive insults where none were intended.
Deliberate public insult
- insultOffensive remark or action
- slightMinor or thin
- snubDeliberate dismissive rejection
- slightedTreated as unimportant
insulted · offended · bristle · huff · dudgeon · miffed · piqued · stung
Easily upset or offended
- thin-skinnedEasily hurt by remarks
- pricklySpiny or irritable
- defensiveProtective or easily threatened
- easily offendedProne to taking umbrage
oversensitive · hypersensitive · hair-trigger · reactive · temperamental · irritable · tetchy · huffy
Sharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
- rancorLasting bitter resentment
- grudgePersistent resentment toward someone
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- acrimonyBitter ill will
ill will · bad blood · simmering · festering · nursing · harboring · brooding · smoldering
Fierce moral indignation
- righteous angerOutrage at moral wrongs
- injusticeDenial of fair treatment
- grievanceFormal claim of unfairness
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
objection · moral outrage · incensed · inflamed · up in arms · scandalized · appalled · shocked
affront
Deliberate public insult
slighted · insulted · offended · bristle · huff · dudgeon · miffed · piqued · stung · wounded
touchy
Easily upset or offended
- thin-skinnedEasily hurt by remarks
- pricklySpiny or irritable
- defensiveProtective or easily threatened
easily offended · oversensitive · hypersensitive · hair-trigger · reactive · temperamental · irritable · tetchy · huffy · peevish
bitterness
Sharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
- rancorLasting bitter resentment
- grudgePersistent resentment toward someone
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
acrimony · ill will · bad blood · simmering · festering · nursing · harboring · brooding · smoldering · wounded pride
outrage
Fierce moral indignation
- righteous angerOutrage at moral wrongs
- injusticeDenial of fair treatment
- grievanceFormal claim of unfairness
protest · objection · moral outrage · incensed · inflamed · up in arms · scandalized · appalled · shocked · aghast