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

After the choice of Bad Bunny as headliner drew ire from some conservative commentators, Turning Point USA, a right-wing organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, stepped in with alternative programming. —Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026

Populist ire at corporate power is rising. —Carter Dougherty, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 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