anger 1 of 2

Definition of angernext

anger

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun anger differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of anger are fury, indignation, ire, rage, and wrath. While all these words 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

When could indignation be used to replace anger?

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

a comment that caused general indignation

In what contexts can ire take the place of anger?

The meanings of ire and anger largely overlap; however, ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.

cheeks flushed with ire

How do rage and fury relate to one another, in the sense of anger?

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 anger?

While the synonyms wrath and anger are close in meaning, wrath is likely to suggest a desire or intent to punish or get revenge.

I feared her wrath if I was discovered

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of anger
Noun
After sparking anger by donning whiteface in his recent NASCAR and Erika Kirk skits, the viral comedian has done it again for a promo of his BET Awards gig. Tom Tapp, Deadline, 18 June 2026 Investigators have claimed Mangione was motivated by anger toward the health insurance industry, leading to numerous sympathizers who expressed their own disapproval for the health insurance industry in demonstrations and nearby court hearings after Mangione’s arrest. Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Verb
The university, its athletic department and anyone associated with it haven't done the Red Raiders and their quarterback any favors, either, with people like head coach Joey Maguire and billionaire booster Cody Campbell sounding off on the issue and only angering fans further. Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026 That angered the Knicks, who decided not to go forward with plans to hold an outdoor watch party outside the arena. Brian Mahoney, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for anger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anger
Noun
  • Many expressed indignation that a climate-friendly clothing brand would appear to go after a beloved climate activist.
    Brittany Peterson, Fortune, 12 June 2026
  • Others use their out-of-office emails to either apologize profusely for time away or highlight their indignation at being tied to work or the internet in the first place.
    Isabel Fattal, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
Verb
  • In Chicago, these questions are interesting and infuriating because the Bulls have no say in the outcome.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026
  • The Iranians moved their training base from Arizona to Mexico, and the team has been required to leave Los Angeles right after both matches, infuriating Ghalenoei.
    ABC News, ABC News, 21 June 2026
Noun
  • But residents who live near hyperscale centers have expressed outrage over a range of issues, including health impacts, spiking utility bills, constant noise, dropping water pressure and concerns about potentially losing their land through eminent domain.
    Katie King, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
  • The show’s removal also sparked viewer outrage over free speech and expression, as well as protests outside Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, and ABC headquarters in New York.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • With those remarks, Cucurella is bound to enrage Culers.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
  • Before the agreement was announced, Israeli forces struck in Beirut, enraging Trump, who has publicly expressed his fury with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
Noun
  • But any cathartic rage is diffused by the one-dimensionality of the characters meant to express it.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 19 June 2026
  • Like historically pissed off, in this customer-rage sense.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Damian used to get annoyed with his father's motivational chats about responsibility.
    Claudia Boyd-Barrett, CBS News, 18 June 2026
  • Three hours before the parade is set to begin, paradegoers are already annoyed at the disorganization and slow-moving lines.
    Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • The poem that precedes it, the Iliad, is a cruel and beautiful work, the ultimate story of war; the Odyssey has its warlike passages, but its central energies seem almost commonplace beside the merciless fury of Achilles.
    David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026
  • Eventually, Nomkhitha’s exhaustion and fury at having her home violated overpowered her fear.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • Anthropic has advocated for more stringent AI regulations — at times incurring the wrath of the Pentagon and White House — while OpenAI has pushed a more hands-off approach.
    Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026
  • Armed with a name, Polyphemus is able to call down his father’s wrath on Odysseus.
    Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anger. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on anger

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster