ire

1 of 2

noun

ˈī(-ə)r 

: intense and usually openly displayed anger

ire transitive verb

ireful

ˈī(-ə)r-fəl 

adjective

Ire

2 of 2

abbreviation

Ireland

Synonyms

Noun

• indignation
• anger
• wrath
• outrage
• fury
• rage

Choose the Right Synonym for ire

anger, ire, rage, fury, indignation, wrath mean an intense emotional state induced by displeasure.

anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.

tried to hide his anger

ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.

cheeks flushed with ire

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

shook with rage

could not contain his fury

indignation stresses righteous anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful.

a comment that caused general indignation

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

Noun

He directed his ire at the coworkers who reported the incident.

the patronizing comment from the snooty waiter roused her ire

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The hilltop mansion featured in Succession has drawn the ire of Los Angeles officials, who say the property has become a public nuisance. —Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025

The video drew major ire from the TikTok community soon after it was posted, and has since garnered thousands of views. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones drew the ire of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers last week after the 300-pound tackle took Rodgers to the ground with an unusual touchdown celebration. —Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025

If the federal government can turn its ire on the ELCA or the Bishop of Washington, why should the pro-immigrant pastor at First Baptist down the street be any different? —Rev. Nathan Empsall, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin ira; perhaps akin to Greek oistros gadfly, frenzy

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ire

• dire
• lyre
• mire
• quire
• spire
• squire
• admire
• afire
• aspire
• backfire
• esquire
• expire

Kids Definition

ire

noun

ˈī(ə)r 

: anger entry 1

ire verb

ireful

-fəl 

adjective

irefully

-fə-lē

adverb