If you are indignant, you feel angry because you think something is unfair, rude, or wrong. It’s a kind of moral anger, not just annoyance.
It comes from Latin “indignari,” meaning “to consider unworthy” or “to be offended,” from “in-” (not) and “dignus” (worthy). The original idea was that something feels so beneath what is right that it makes you upset.
Indignant anger isn’t just “I’m mad,” it’s “I’m mad *because this is wrong*.” The word is built from the same root as “dignity,” so it’s literally about feeling that someone’s dignity—or your own—has been violated. That’s why indignation often sounds more noble than just rage.
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