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

The Senate is also now in play, with Republicans locked in unexpectedly tight races across the country amid voter ire over prices and the economy. — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026

And there will always be gay kids coming to terms with their nascent sexuality — like Clive’s 16-year-old son George (Jackson Connor), whose interactions with Leo draw his father’s suspicion and ire. — Alison Herman, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026

The second apron has picked apart title teams, which likely led to greater parity across the league — while also drawing the ire of the players union. — Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026

His policies have even drawn the ire of one of his favorite rappers, 50 Cent, but the mayor still has plenty of love for the G-Unit leader. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 30 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