Miff

To miff is to cause someone to become slightly annoyed, irritated, or offended. It implies a feeling of petulance or pique rather than outright anger. The cause of the miff can be trivial, often stemming from perceived slights, minor inconveniences, or unmet expectations. A miff is usually a temporary state, less intense than anger, and often subsides quickly once the source of the annoyance is addressed or forgotten. It highlights a sensitivity to perceived unfairness or disrespect, leading to a subtle display of displeasure, such as a change in tone, facial expression, or a brief withdrawal.

Miff meaning with examples

• Sarah was slightly miffed when her friend forgot their lunch date. She hadn't been overtly angry, just a bit put out because she'd cleared her schedule and was looking forward to catching up. The forgetfulness wasn't a huge deal, but the slight disruption of her plans left her with a quiet, momentary resentment. After they rescheduled, the miff quickly dissolved.
• The customer was miffed by the automated phone system, struggling to navigate the prompts and ultimately failing to reach a live representative. The inefficiency of the process frustrated him, leading to a feeling of dissatisfaction and a subtle display of annoyance. This dissatisfaction lingered, affecting his initial perception of the company's services. He was left with a brief but genuine miff.
• The writer was miffed when the editor removed a crucial paragraph from her article, believing the edit fundamentally changed the piece's nuance. It wasn't a full-blown argument, more a quiet disappointment. The perceived change was a minor offense in her eyes. She saw the cut as a slight against her work and a failure to appreciate her ideas. This subtle miff affected her mood for a day.
• John felt miffed when his coworker took credit for an idea they'd both worked on, a clear lack of recognition for his contribution. Though he didn't confront the coworker, the incident left him with a lingering feeling of frustration. This gentle miff led to passive-aggressive behavior. The act of 'stealing credit' caused a short period of inner discomfort.