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outrage

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word outrage distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of outrage are affront, insult, and offend. While all these words mean "to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment," outrage implies offending beyond endurance and calling forth extreme feelings.

outraged by their accusations

When can affront be used instead of outrage?

While in some cases nearly identical to outrage, affront implies treating with deliberate rudeness or contemptuous indifference to courtesy.

deeply affronted by his callousness

In what contexts can insult take the place of outrage?

The words insult and outrage can be used in similar contexts, but insult suggests deliberately causing humiliation, hurt pride, or shame.

insulted every guest at the party

When is offend a more appropriate choice than outrage?

In some situations, the words offend and outrage are roughly equivalent. However, offend need not imply an intentional hurting but it may indicate merely a violation of the victim's sense of what is proper or fitting.

hoped that my remarks had not offended her

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 outrage
Noun
The immediacy and interactivity of social media platforms amplified the outrage, encouraging group mobilization. Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2025 The outrage comes as Karmelo Anthony, 18, is charged with first-degree murder in the killing of Metcalf while at an April 2 track meet. Julia Bonavita , Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
On Tuesday, President Emmanuel Macron appointed his fifth prime minister in less than two years, choosing a close ally, Sebastien Lecornu, which outraged left-wing politicians. Stephane Mahe, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025 The Legislature and California residents should be outraged at this maneuver that would undermine law enforcement accountability. Charles Ford Champion, Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outrage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outrage
Noun
  • Young Thug wasn’t the only target, however, as his girlfriend, Mariah The Scientist, also caught a few shots for entertaining Thugger’s insults over the phone.
    Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Bluesky, part of the decentralized internet, is slower paced and caters to niche interests, rewarding internecine fights over minutiae, whereas X is deliberately chaotic, encouraging the gathering of follower-armies and ideological insult-comedy for an audience that may be largely made up of bots.
    Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • 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
Verb
  • When arthritis pain flares up, the area around the offending joint becomes inflamed and slightly acidic.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Unlike the common perception that assault requires hitting or causing injury, the law says even an act meant only to offend, like spitting, can be enough to trigger a charge.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • However, sharp spending cuts have angered many, while corruption allegations against senior officials have dented his party’s odds ahead of next month’s vote, which could determine the future of Milei’s presidency.
    Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Lawyers at Walsh Gallegos coordinated two releases of emails and other documents on behalf of the school board, but CNN reported how gaping holes remained, surprising and angering board members.
    Shimon Prokupecz, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Like an amulet, or a bible, the immense and somehow lingering grief and rage flowing through it is with me everywhere.
    Sara Stridsberg September 15, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The young man’s beauty, musical talents, and athletic prowess, however, belie volatile currents of desire and rage, which will eventually scandalize the community and unsettle Priscilla and Diamond’s faiths.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The lawsuit said that groundswell of support infuriated Bove, who was portrayed in one video as the Batman villain Bane, while Driscoll was depicted as Batman.
    Carrie Johnson, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Anyone infuriated about the failure to adequately address climate change and the shortcomings in national emergency preparedness will find plenty here to stoke their anger.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Contempt often hides within sarcasm or ridicule.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Like Bong, Park has a very deadpan way with sarcasm, and the opening sequence is simply dripping with it: paper company safety executive You Man-su (Lee) is celebrating his wife’s birthday by barbecuing rare, delicious eel steaks, a gift from work to mark 25 years of service.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Fenerbahce reserve their primary fury for Galatasaray, but the feeling is pretty mutual.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
  • South Korea’s top diplomat then rushed to Washington to negotiate their release, while public fury swelled back home over what many see as a slap in the face from their longtime ally.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Outrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outrage. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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