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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
In this online discussion ecosystem that elevates outrage above everything else, that's likely true. ArsTechnica, 24 June 2025 Trump’s decisive loss in 2020, the outrage at his attempts to overturn the result and at the ensuing insurrection, and the strong performance by Democrats in the 2022 midterms all seemed to indicate that Trumpism had run its course. Rebecca Lissner, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Verb
The foundation’s failure to build a memorial outraged some victim families who questioned its spending decisions and operations. Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2025 In Barr’s mind, there was nothing inappropriate about the tweet that derailed her comeback and outraged many in the industry. Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for outrage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outrage
Noun
  • Adding insult, he was called for eight fouls in Tuesday night’s victory over the Golden State Warriors, with players allowed 10 in summer league, four above the regular-season maximum.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2025
  • Amid the mix of compliments and insults from obvious trolls, many thought ATB bore a striking resemblance to another member of the family.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Claiming persecution becomes more believable when it is coupled with the righteous indignation of the wronged.
    Lubna Zeidan, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
  • Some Trump allies have expressed skepticism — and at times outright indignation — at the idea of the U.S. involved in another conflict in the Middle East, while others have offered wholehearted support.
    Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • While some Hollywood studios such as Lionsgate and Blumhouse have collaborated with AI companies, others have been reluctant to announce partnerships at the risk of offending talent that have voiced concerns over how AI could be used to alter their digital likeness without adequate compensation.
    Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
  • The LinkedIn feed is full of safe, vanilla content because everyone's scared to offend.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Topline Attorney General Pam Bondi has become the chief lightning rod for those on the right angered by the Department of Justice’s lack of new information regarding disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein—a subject of extensive right-wing conspiracies—with some calling for her firing.
    Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • But many of the Blues’ outings have been unpleasant because of high temperatures and storms, and six games across the tournament have been paused for poor weather conditions, angering manager Enzo Maresca.
    Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Some parents remember when tanning beds were all the rage and this trend is pretty similar.
    Annabelle Canela, Parents, 8 July 2025
  • And if this year's World's Best Awards winners are any indication, refined retreats are all the rage—especially those that give guests direct access to America's most stunning landscapes.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Trump left Washington in January 2021 infuriated with Netanyahu, bitter that the Israeli leader had backed out of a planned joint operation to assassinate an Iranian general and had congratulated Joe Biden on his election victory.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 8 July 2025
  • But his veto of an affordable housing bill that had been drafted largely to his specifications infuriated lawmakers.
    Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Fans in the comments applauded Carpenter’s use of sarcasm to indirectly address the hoopla.
    Sam Reed, Glamour, 26 June 2025
  • There’s always a little colored sarcasm in our music, there’s a little tongue-in-cheek, but then there is always some really deep meaningful subject matter on our records, too.
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • The tough conditions at Oakmont Country Club, in Pennsylvania, have some of the best golfers reeling this week in golf’s toughest test of the year, but Clark allegedly unleashed his fury on the lockers in the famed clubhouse.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2025
  • Lawrence of Arabia When our band of heroes crash land on a desert moon, there are several shots of them succumbing to the fury of the hot weather.
    Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 14 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Outrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outrage. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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