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Umbrage is a word born in the shadows. Its ultimate source (and that of umbrella) is Latin umbra, meaning “shade, shadow,” and when it was first used in the 15th century it referred to exactly that. But figurative use followed relatively quickly. Shakespeare wrote of Hamlet that "his semblable is his mirror, and who else would trace him, his umbrage, nothing more,” and by the 17th century this meaning of “vague suggestion; hint,” had been joined by other uses, including the “feeling of resentment or offense” heard today in such sentences as “many took umbrage at the speaker’s tasteless jokes.” The word’s early literal use is not often encountered, though it does live on in literature: for example, in her 1849 novel, Charlotte Brontë describes how the titular Shirley would relax “at the foot of some tree of friendly umbrage.”
Synonyms
Examples of umbrage in a Sentence
Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Jan. 2025
Cronin took umbrage with that technical, earning a second technical and an early exit to the Bruins’ locker room.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2025
Trump takes umbrage at Biden’s actions during transition period
Tonally, one of the most striking things about the news conference was President-elect Trump’s obvious irritation at some actions taken by President Biden in the period since the election.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 7 Jan. 2025
Some took umbrage with Jerry Reinsdorf, who's long been the subject of criticism from pundits and the Chicago faithful.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025
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Dictionary Entries Near umbrage
Cite this Entry
“Umbrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/umbrage. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
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umbrage
noun
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