I'm looking for a word or a phrase that means taking offense but not actually showing it.
Example:
Mary was selfless, affectionate and ______ towards criticism/offense.
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2I don't think there will be a dedicated English adjective that conveys both "offended" and "outwardly unmoved".– FumbleFingersOct 28, 2020 at 19:07
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2Neither do I. "...and a stony martyr to criticism." Or a stony-faced martyr...– Old BrixtonianOct 28, 2020 at 19:11
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2Stoical can mean Enduring pain and hardship without showing one's feelings or complaining.– Weather VaneOct 28, 2020 at 20:24
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2Inspired by fumbleFingers: Mary was selfless, affectionate and outwardly impervious towards criticism/offense.– GreybeardOct 30, 2020 at 17:39
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1 Answer
Difficult. I might use chary or leery in some contexts, but not all, so this can only be a partial answer.
chary = discreetly cautious: such as
a: hesitant and vigilant about dangers and risks ”a government chary of getting involved in foreign entanglements”
b: slow to grant, accept, or expend ”a person very chary of compliments”
leery = if you are leery of someone, you do not trust them
