anger 1 of 2

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
Mounting annoyance manifested itself in bizarre fashion last night when manager Chris Wilder, walking towards the tunnel at half-time, leathered a ball into the crowd in anger, above. Phil Hay, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025 Immediate forgiveness – a message of letting go of the anger that comes with being so terribly wronged – has a familiar sound to those who have been following a frighteningly violent news cycle. Andy Rose, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
However, sharp spending cuts have angered many, while a recent electoral defeat for his party worried investors ahead of a key legislative vote in October. semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025 That Watson hasn’t used these moments of victimhood to become reactionary is part of what seems to anger Rowling. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for anger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anger
Noun
  • Then there are authors like Rachel Harrison, Gwendolyn Kiste and Hailey Piper who take the experiences and rage of simply being a woman and use the guardrails of horror to create something wholly new.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
  • For example, in the 19th century, Victorian hair wreaths (made from human hair) were all the rage throughout the country, said Savig.
    Ayana Archie, NPR, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In March, a bloc of centrist lawmakers broke ranks to advance a Republican spending bill without concessions, infuriating progressive groups that accused party leaders of capitulation.
    Nik Popli, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
  • My astrologer’s eyes twinkled with infuriating delight.
    Jessie Rosen, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Overcome with fury, the King announces his plan to slaughter anyone who was complicit, including his own grandmother.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The recent decision to assault Gaza City, where a number of the 20 living hostages are believed to be held, only added to the fury on display on Sunday.
    Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As a huge golf lover myself, I was enraged by having to listen to the constant abuse and unsporting behaviour of the crowd.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Trump had already enraged some Indians by taking credit for brokering a ceasefire, in May, between India and Pakistan, after the countries had engaged in their worst military conflict in decades.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Doing it all at once would trigger public outrage.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The remark made waves on social media, sparking outrage and disappointment across the HBCU community.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In practice, Musk bowed to authoritarian governments or banned critical journalists when their reporting annoyed him.
    Jacob Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Joe proceeded to get drunk, annoy her (and multiple other cast members), and ultimately exit the party early to pass out in his room.
    Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • McBride sets the political context for Swift’s savage indignation by noting that 1727–1729 saw three successive harvest failures in Ireland.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Passions run as high as style, and candor and fervor blend with humor, to endow anecdotes and reflections with pride and purpose along with mourning and indignation.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Winter's wrath continues with another cold spell predicted for mid-February.
    Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Oct. 2025
  • When Hernán helps Julia and her young daughter, Maribel, navigate treacherous borderlands, their desperate journey triggers the wrath of a ruthless trafficking syndicate.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Anger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anger. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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