ire 1 of 2

Definition of irenext

ire

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun ire differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ire are anger, fury, indignation, rage, and wrath. While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.

cheeks flushed with ire

In what contexts can anger take the place of ire?

While the synonyms anger and ire are close in meaning, anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.

tried to hide his anger

When is it sensible to use indignation instead of ire?

In some situations, the words indignation and ire are roughly equivalent. However, indignation stresses righteous anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful.

a comment that caused general indignation

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

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 ire?

While in some cases nearly identical to ire, wrath is likely to suggest a desire or intent to punish or get revenge.

I feared her wrath if I was discovered

How does the noun ire differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ire are anger, fury, indignation, rage, and wrath. While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.

cheeks flushed with ire

In what contexts can anger take the place of ire?

While the synonyms anger and ire are close in meaning, anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.

tried to hide his anger

When is it sensible to use indignation instead of ire?

In some situations, the words indignation and ire are roughly equivalent. However, indignation stresses righteous anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful.

a comment that caused general indignation

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

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 ire?

While in some cases nearly identical to ire, 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 ire
Noun
In this instance, though, her ire was trained on a fellow traveler. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 3 Mar. 2026 Some of the ire contributing to the unedifying scenes at full-time owed to just how meek Villa had been against the Premier League’s bottom team. Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
The controversial project The prospect of an ICE detention center in a Kansas City warehouse has drawn criticism and ire for weeks. Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026 Around a half hour of public comment followed the announcement, as speakers voiced both disappointment in the teacher’s departure and ire over the post to his personal social media. Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ire
Noun
  • When one’s sense of basic fairness is violated, indignation runs high.
    Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The other parents joined them, one or two echoing the incredulity, a mixture of fake consternation, mild indignation, and real pride.
    Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The two sat up front and refused to move, angering the driver, who stormed off at every stop, all through the night.
    CBS News, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The policy coincided with hurricane season, and relief efforts in states such as Missouri, North Carolina, and California were delayed, angering the public and, in many cases, their Republican representatives.
    Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The White Stripes frontman may have incurred the wrath of Swifties with his comments in a recent interview.
    Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
  • But questions swirled about if even that would survive nature’s wrath for two-and-a-half centuries.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Kline was frustrated and even infuriated by the military's past reluctance.
    CBS News, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Kline was frustrated and even infuriated by the military's past reluctance.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Soaring ratings transform him into an unlikely prophet for a network hungry for spectacle, in a world where outrage sells and attention is the ultimate currency.
    Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Good, 37, was fatally shot by a federal immigration officer, prompting national outrage.
    Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • With a German commandant enraged, Edmonds stood his ground and invoked prisoners' rights under international law.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Onitsuka, whose group led Saturday’s rally, added that the American people are also enraged to have their tax dollars pay for an unjust and unsanctioned war that’s causing death and destruction as many struggle to survive in this country.
    La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Iranians will first need to pick up the political and physical pieces of their lives, and although public fury at the government has not diminished, foreign military intervention has ignited a sense of millennia-old nationalism.
    Robin Wright, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
  • But the company’s move brought fury from the White House.
    Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • This is Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy, a gripping portrait of a young prince caught between action and inaction, grief and rage, truth and deception.
    Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Large Graphic Prints In the 1950s and '60s, bold, patterned carpets—geometric designs, florals, and abstract prints—were all the rage.
    Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 7 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ire. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

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