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 of ire

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

Nearly a year ago, Takaichi drew Beijing’s ire by indicating an attempt to seize Taiwan by force could prompt Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to intervene. — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026

Dos Santos has incurred LAFC fans' ire for his static tactics and substitution plans, and his club has been booed at home by its normally supportive base. — CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Then there is Swift’s BFF Ed Sheeran, whose tour was rocked by his opener, rapper Macklemore, attracting the ire of billionaire businessman Robert Kraft after Macklemore shared his pro-Palestinian feelings from the stage. — Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2026

Both Fields’ lawyer and his agent are now on record corroborating the initial report that drew TCU’s ire. — Mac Engel september 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026

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