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
The episode intensified longstanding anger about the integrity of the competitive examinations that control access to education and government employment. Penny Abeywardena, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Nathu is told that the carcass is required for veterinary purposes, but it is later placed on the steps of a mosque to provoke Muslim anger since pigs are traditionally considered unclean in Islam. Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
Verb
The restrictions that health authorities have placed on such funerals, along with widespread misinformation asserting that the deadly virus isn’t real, have angered some residents and led to attacks on health facilities. Prosper Heri Ngorora, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 And the thousandth cut came when Raman launched her mayoral campaign without first consulting the local DSA chapter, angering organizers who felt the race stretched their resources too thin. Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for anger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anger
Noun
  • Mind you, Miss Manners agrees with your indignation at this fraudulent maneuver.
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
  • And Anne Hathaway, in a bravura performance, situates Penelope on an emotional precipice, caught between indecision and indignation, between yearning for her husband and a palpable disgust with the alternatives.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • Sami Zayn, who had recently lost the title, was visibly infuriated by Owens' unexpected return and victory, even injuring Owens' neck during the intense bout.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • That infuriated Angels fans, of course, since their team has baseball’s longest playoff drought — 12 years, counting this one.
    Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Noun
  • Video of police beating protesters and dragging them away spread on social media, fueling public outrage.
    ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
  • Indian police briefly detained the country’s top opposition leader and his sister during a protest on Tuesday, as a fresh wave of public outrage puts pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
    J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 21 July 2026
Verb
  • Fauci pleaded the Fifth a number of times, which appears to have enraged a lot of people.
    Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026
  • The only reliable way to reach mainstream or even moderate recognition against all the noise is to either carpet-bomb social media with clips or to enrage wide swaths of the public.
    Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 30 July 2026
Noun
  • In a blind rage after watching his brother die, Duke catches up to one of their assailants and beats him to death — with a crowd watching.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 July 2026
  • Likewise, Cretton allows the Punisher his rage while silently noting that the vigilante’s gun-toting tactics usually make things worse.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • Tiesi, appearing to be annoyed, received a video call from him seconds later.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
  • Andreu Martínez of Spain humorously said in July 2024 that the use of squirt guns was to annoy the tourists a bit.
    Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026
Noun
  • Europe, however, stands apart in its outright fury and action.
    Adam Crafton, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • Mamdani announcement cracking down on tips sparks fury when internet notices one problem.
    , FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • Former head coach of the South Korean national team Hong Myung-bo faced the Korean public's wrath and resigned after controversial player decisions led to the team's poor showing.
    Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • No warrior strove harder than clear-eyed Nolan, who daily tackled the wrath of the studio gods.
    Henry Alford, New Yorker, 16 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Anger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anger. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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