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
In the lobby of his apartment building, Kiritsis held a press conference, expressing anger at Meridian but also apologizing for the ordeal and his use of profanity throughout. Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Sep. 2026 The focus on immigration, in a country where the centrist government's decision to welcome hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees a decade ago has fueled ongoing anger among many voters, has been a cornerstone of the AfD's success. Anna Noryskiewicz, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026
Verb
Prosecutors argued Monday that Kading’s disclosures angered Davis. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2026 The sudden influx of tens of thousands of migrants into Ceuta, which has a population of about 84,000, put a huge strain on resources and angered many residents. ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for anger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anger
Noun
  • Cancer Rising September begins with you very much waking up on the wrong side of the bed, but your indignation might just be the thing that saves you in the end.
    Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
  • On cue, China expressed indignation about anti-missile deployments.
    Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The targeting designation infuriated KU coach Lance Leipold, who was asked about the flag after a game in which the defense held the Sharks to 146 yards and 11 first downs.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The White House’s abrupt decision last week to ease tariffs on 300,000 metric tons — more than 660 million pounds — of foreign beef imports has infuriated American cattle ranchers and congressional Republicans alike.
    Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The public outrage over data centers, which the Post said has inspired 375 bills in state legislatures so far, embodies a concern far beyond their voracious demands for land, electricity and water.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The league did this because its leadership became more sensitive to fan and media outrage.
    Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Marie-Louise is enraged one minute, subservient the next, bullying the staff while throwing banquets for Nazi officials.
    David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The hiring of the Catalan content creator, however, has only served to enrage the public, rather than enticing them to watch the race.
    Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Related 'Ask Us Anything' Stories Do rage workouts really help to blow off steam?
    Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Once the two men start working together, the combination of Ploughman’s crushing grief and Tyler’s populist rage illustrates the two factors that shaped the revolt.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • What annoyed me the most, though, was the way the meditation teachers talked, which tended toward New Age–isms in passive voice.
    Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Not even Jeff being annoyed at Kasandra’s drunkenness can ruin the mood.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • But what’s especially interesting is the intensity with which Chad Powers approaches Gerry’s fury and eccentricities.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Ezra Acayan / Getty Images Children in Nuwakot and ​Rasuwa areas are increasingly showing signs of psychological distress after witnessing the fury of the flood last week, international charity Save the Children said in a statement.
    Reuters, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Some religious scholars in Saudi Arabia have preached against developing the area, claiming that its former inhabitants were struck down by the wrath of God.
    Ruby Tandoh, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
  • But within this storytelling paradigm, Adnani imbues each scene with a dramatic wrath bubbling just beneath the surface.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Anger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anger. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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