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 swelling majorities, with some races still too early to call, underlined a deep sense of voter anger and concern over the economy and the state of democracy. — Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 2026 The World Wars themselves were Frankenstein-like anger coming together into revolutions across the globe. — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2026
Verb
But wildfire survivors were angered when details emerged that Newsom’s proposal would limit payments to victims for pain and suffering and cap attorney fees. — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026 Soon, other aggrieved groups—farmers, trade unionists, climate activists, yellow-vest protesters angered by rising costs—joined in, and the demonstrations that followed quickly became some of France’s most widespread and explosive since 1968. — Maurice Samuels, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for anger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anger
Noun
  • There is no moment of indignation and no complaint to customer service.
    — Dvir Ginzburg, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Each time the answer is a concoction of equal parts indignation, defense, agitation, and defiance.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The podcaster Candace Owens drove those theories, infuriating her former employer, Daily Wire founder Ben Shapiro.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The decision has infuriated Democrats and threatened the party’s path to winning a Senate majority.
    — Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The interview stirred up outrage among rights and activist groups that were behind the uprising against al-Bashir.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The mayor faced voter outrage over the Palisades fire, which broke out in January 2025, destroying thousands of homes and leaving 12 people dead.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • This thrilled hardcore Journey fans, but enraged the other members of the group.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2026
  • After the release of the Pentagon Papers, which was a secret history of the Vietnam War compiled by figures in the Johnson administration, Richard Nixon is enraged.
    — Dustin DeSoto, Vox, 30 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • There’s definitely a strain of rage that runs through dark comedy, which suggests the Oscar-winning director is still in touch with his inner Clash-loving firebrand.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Guilt, suffering, and justified rage all loom large in Godzilla Minus Zero, and though this is science-fiction, Yamazaki is also keyed in to the real-life underpinnings of his fictional characters’ feelings.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 6 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Raymond Lopez, alderman of Chicago’s 15th Ward, told the station that the other driver appeared to be annoyed about something that happened several blocks back.
    — Adam England, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Studio executives who annoyed her might find their films receiving tepid coverage.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • There’s a vast gulf between the fear and fury of New Yorkers and the indolence of many leaders, who continue to treat e-bikes as little more than a minor annoyance.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2026
  • As a most un-saintlike Mother Teresa, Dueñas gives voice to a seething, inconsolable fury, an assertion of pure, ferocious will, that exposes the preciousness of Ambrossi and Calvo’s poetic and structural conceits.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The rail line, operating since 1888, has always been vulnerable to the ocean’s wrath due to its location — but its beachfront property is also one of its main draws for riders seeking a scenic trip down Southern California’s iconic coast.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • After wrath over the administration’s botched handling of the Epstein files, Attorney General Pam Bondi was fired in April.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 6 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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