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 decision drew ire from California officials who accused the president of stoking tension and escalating unrest. —Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 July 2025

The Cubs lost the game and the series and the ire of an entire city — and soon, sports fans everywhere — turned to the man in the Cubs hat: Bartman. —Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 9 July 2025

But McAllister’s ire was rekindled in 1991, when the summer’s European Championship was officially recognised by UEFA, European football’s governing body, before the first Women’s World Cup was held in China in November. —Megan Feringa, New York Times, 8 July 2025

With one more year left in his first term in office, Sherwood drew the ire of residents for being an outspoken supporter of a West Valley casino and the former Arizona Coyotes hockey team. —Shawn Raymundo, AZCentral.com, 8 July 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