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ire

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun ire differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ire are anger, fury, indignation, rage, and wrath. While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.

cheeks flushed with ire

In what contexts can anger take the place of ire?

While the synonyms anger and ire are close in meaning, anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.

tried to hide his anger

When is it sensible to use indignation instead of ire?

In some situations, the words indignation and ire are roughly equivalent. However, indignation stresses righteous anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful.

a comment that caused general indignation

How are the words rage and fury related as synonyms of ire?

Both rage and fury suggest loss of self-control from violence of emotion.

shook with rage
could not contain his fury

Where would wrath be a reasonable alternative to ire?

While in some cases nearly identical to ire, wrath is likely to suggest a desire or intent to punish or get revenge.

I feared her wrath if I was discovered

Examples of ire in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The House has recessed until after the November election, sparking ire from Republicans as the lower chamber has left behind a long to-do list involving spending bills, contempt resolutions, task forces, and censure initiatives. Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Sep. 2024 This spring, a pending congestion-pricing plan, which would have charged car drivers fifteen dollars during rush hour to drive below Sixtieth Street, became an object of ire for suburban New Yorkers. Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2024 The result is mayhem that draws ire from many groups. Kendra Hurley, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2024 Waters, who has frequently drawn the ire of the pro-Israel community for his vehement support of the BDS movement, which calls for boycotts and sanctions against the state of Israel, again rejected the claims of antisemitism. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ire 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ire.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near ire

Cite this Entry

“Ire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ire. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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