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ire

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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

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
The final days of Village Roadshow saw the production company late on its payments to writers, which drew the ire of the WGA West. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025 County board intervenes The project has brought the ire of local residents during the past year, as landowners in the area have voiced concerns about possible impacts to property taxes, wildlife and agricultural land, among other issues. Elliot Mann, Twin Cities, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
Yamanaka’s writing had met with acclaim and ire from the start. Literary Hub, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ire
Noun
  • Miss Universe President expresses 'Great indignation' Rocha began his statement by expressing solidarity with the 122 delegates before criticizing Nawat's actions.
    Paula Soria, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
  • This explains the indignation of those carrying college debt who demanded Joe Biden make their loans go away.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Obama’s enthusiastic showings for both candidates was a test of whether his sway over the Democratic Party still remains after his support for Harris failed to boost her to the White House a year ago and angered black male voters who felt unfairly accused of sexism.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement has angered many Americans by wearing masks while on duty, attacking peaceful protesters and arresting mostly people with no criminal record.
    Tom Roland, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Grace becomes a doting mother, but the house becomes the subject of her wrath.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • That defeat denied Indianapolis a playoff appearance and infuriated the man in charge of it all.
    James Boyd, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The lack of details about the operations has infuriated members of Congress on both sides of the political spectrum.
    Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Community outrage At Sunday’s news conference, local politicians and activists expressed their anger and frustration at federal agents’ actions Saturday.
    Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Her journal entries turn despairing and remorseful, colored by moral outrage.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Schumer and nine other Senate Democrats voted to keep the government open back then, enraging Democrats who had wanted to use the pressure point to fight back against the administration.
    Mike Lillis, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2025
  • To further enrage Predator purists, Thia and Dek adopt a cuddly little monkey-ish creature as their companion, a CGI bit of whimsy seemingly borrowed from Pixar.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • So when the bare minimum of eight Democratic senators split off, advancing a shutdown-ending deal that’s set to clear the Senate later Monday, the rest of the party erupted in fury, from coast to coast.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Schumer is facing fury from within his own party for failing to get Democrats to fall in line.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • After pouring out all of Tallulah’s earthly possessions — loose cash, thongs, several vapes, Bubble Tape — Paulena takes the bag and flounces off, leaving Tallulah vibrating with rage and Maia quietly panicking.
    Caroline Framke, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
  • For some, that rage appears to be driven by a sense of injustice that the UK national broadcaster has been the victim of a right-wing plot.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ire. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

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