Synonym Chooser

How does the noun indignation differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of indignation are anger, fury, ire, rage, and wrath. While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," indignation stresses righteous anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful.

a comment that caused general indignation

When can anger be used instead of indignation?

The synonyms anger and indignation are sometimes interchangeable, but anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.

tried to hide his anger

When could ire be used to replace indignation?

The words ire and indignation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.

cheeks flushed with ire

How are the words rage and fury related as synonyms of indignation?

Both rage and fury suggest loss of self-control from violence of emotion.

shook with rage
could not contain his fury

When is it sensible to use wrath instead of indignation?

While the synonyms wrath and indignation 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 indignation Ignore the predictable indignation: Kennedy deserves credit for his candor on this one. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025 Editors’ Picks 36 Hours in Rome Living the Slop Life Image Some online commentators have expressed indignation about the online content, saying that the banter about a Catholic leader is offensive. Emma Bubola, New York Times, 7 May 2025 As the film progresses, this wide-eyed curiosity shifts to righteous indignation, but these reactions are muddled by her feelings for Basem. Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2025 But there’s vulnerability buried in that sort of indignation. Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for indignation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indignation
Noun
  • One legacy of Biden’s disastrous 2024 campaign has Democratic anger at the refusal of some elderly politicians to recognize when the time has come to cede the spotlight.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
  • The anger of voters is strikingly clear, though, especially for ones who have for so long been loyal to Democrats.
    Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • In an environment where virality often outperforms veracity, the temptation rises: optimize for engagement, lean into outrage and co-opt the aesthetic of authenticity without accountability.
    ByLyric Mandell, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Months of arrests in Charlotte ICE has been making increasingly public arrests in Mecklenburg County over the last several months, stoking fear and outrage.
    Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • And he is compelled by a righteous fury to warn others of his son’s dark path to self-annihilation.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
  • Israel, in its fury, decimated Hamas and wiped out its leadership—including Sinwar—and also killed tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • The congresswoman, who is up for reelection next year, risks Trump's wrath and may hinder her chances in the 2026 midterms.
    Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
  • The shooting and cellphone footage that captured the moment when Armstrong was shot has drawn the ire of family members and the wrath of community organizations that make up the Healing and Justice Center in Miami.
    Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Emotionally intelligent people don't unleash their rage like this.
    Juli Fraga, CNBC, 27 June 2025
  • In rage and disbelief, Gi-hun mourned the death of his friend and wailed with grief as masked soldiers apprehended him.
    Esther Kang, People.com, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • For instance, a couple months ago, dishwashers told White that listening to music while working would significantly improve their mood.
    Brit Morse, Fortune, 27 June 2025
  • Providing Personalized Mental Wellness Beyond healthcare or entertainment, the first widespread use of BCI may be for personalized mental wellness—real-time mood regulation and cognitive optimization.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Indignation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indignation. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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