Synonyms of ire

ire 1 of 2

noun

ˈī(-ə)r 

as in indignation

an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something

the patronizing comment from the snooty waiter roused her ire

Synonyms & Similar Words

• indignation
• anger
• wrath
• outrage
• fury
• rage
• irritation
• mood
• wrathfulness
• exasperation
• resentment
• furor
• contempt
• annoyance
• jealousy
• irritability
• hostility
• madness
• bitterness
• spleen
• mad
• choler
• slow burn
• grudge
• angriness
• temper
• animosity
• malice
• lividity
• enmity
• birse
• irateness
• antipathy
• outburst
• antagonism
• venom
• rancor
• envy
• bile
• spite
• vitriol
• lividness
• pique
• aggravation
• vexation
• embitterment
• acrimony
• malevolence
• vindictiveness
• biliousness
• dudgeon
• belligerence
• pugnacity
• virulence
• jaundice
• heat
• vengefulness
• irascibility
• contentiousness
• crankiness
• warmth
• dander
• querulousness
• contrariness
• flare
• huff
• pet
• quarrelsomeness
• pugnaciousness
• blowup
• delirium
• orneriness
• chafe
• rise
• acrimoniousness
• passion
• road rage
• ruffle
• hot-headedness
• disputatiousness
• irascibleness
• empoisonment
• flare-up
• air rage

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasure
• delight
• patience
• forbearance
• calmness

ire

2 of 2

verb

as in to anger

to make angry

nothing ires him more than having to wait for his dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

• anger
• infuriate
• outrage
• enrage
• annoy
• irritate
• mad
• rile
• inflame
• rankle
• offend
• roil
• incense
• madden
• tick off
• steam up
• provoke
• aggravate
• rub the wrong way
• affront
• pique
• exasperate
• vex
• huff
• peeve
• get one's goat
• burn (up)
• ruffle
• cross
• miff
• antagonize
• put out
• nettle
• embitter
• get
• envenom

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• delight
• please
• allay
• relieve
• gratify
• assuage
• comfort
• soothe
• appease
• placate
• console
• pacify
• calm
• conciliate
• quiet
• charm
• lull
• settle
• mollify
• disarm
• captivate
• beguile
• bewitch
• enchant

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ire

Noun

The second apron has picked apart title teams, which likely led to greater parity across the league — while also drawing the ire of the players union. — Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026

His policies have even drawn the ire of one of his favorite rappers, 50 Cent, but the mayor still has plenty of love for the G-Unit leader. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026

Verb

The plan has drawn disapproval from members of the public and ire from architectural and conservation groups, one of which sued to block it back in December. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026

Of two Montana homesteaders at war over a gate installed on a private road, one is a nerd culture YouTuber who directs his fans’ ire toward the ever-present thorn in his side. — Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026