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 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 And rather than indignation or rage or fury, what comes through in the letters is his sheer amazement at being in this predicament. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025 But reacting with indignation has not been an option for Lee. Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for indignation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indignation
Noun
  • Our hero is also being coveted by a crime boss, and as he gets pulled further and further into this world, Farrell has to show his inner violence and anger breaking through.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Symptoms can include memory loss, impulse control problems, anxiety, depression and anger issues.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Huda issues an apology after downplaying the incident After initially downplaying the outrage over her reaction, Mustafa posted another statement on Wednesday publicly apologizing to Carthen.
    Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
  • If KitKat, the beloved feline hit on Monday, had been struck by a human driver, the outrage would’ve been relatively tempered.
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • O’Neil was in advanced discussions over taking on a second stint in charge in the Midlands in a move that prompted inevitable, predictable and understandable fury in some quarters.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Järvi presented these three pieces at Carnegie, but in a way that emphasized their inner tensions and hidden furies.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Disney is incredibly unlikely to ever admit that politics were a factor in Doctor Who‘s cancellation, but Jimmy Kimmel’s brief suspension was revealing of the company’s desire to minimize MAGA wrath.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Tarkenton and his Minnesota Vikings, of course, felt the Raiders’ wrath one January afternoon in Pasadena when Oakland trounced them in Super Bowl XI.
    Jon Becker, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Why was right tackle Larry Borom back on the field immediately after his false start turned a 4th and 1 into a 4th and 6, triggering a rare public display of rage by McDaniel, before Riley Patterson missed a 35-yard field goal?
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Now free, Alma’s emaciated, adult form wanders the world, unending rage bent on revenge.
    Will Borger, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • From fall fragrances like apple cider and more neutral scents like green tea to jolts of refreshing grapefruit, a single scented candle can really set the mood in any space.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Fans in a Halloween mood, show up dressed like referees signalling touchdown.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Indignation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indignation. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on indignation

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