Definition of outragenext
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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
Public reaction on Facebook was immediate and mixed, with some area residents expressing outrage about the potential development while others welcomed the economic gains from a multi-billion dollar project. — CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 Spurred to vote on Tuesday by a combination of outrage over the war in Gaza, settler violence in the West Bank, and unchecked violent crime in Arab communities, Israel’s Arab citizens turned out in unprecedented numbers. — Ilan Ben Zion, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said he was outraged by the recordings and had spoken to the injured man, Ricardo Gonzalez, who is a former longtime city employee. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 While we are relieved that Heidi has received medical care and is safe, we are outraged by this unwarranted attack on a journalist doing her job and urge a thorough investigation and follow-through from authorities. — Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outrage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outrage
Noun
  • Despite his notoriously fiery TV persona, the Gordon Ramsay meal kit doesn’t include any pre-packaged insults or threats to shut your kitchen down — just easy-to-follow recipe cards.
    — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Gillies was surprised to learn in researching the docu that the programmers came up with a rating system for calculating the relative weight of insults.
    — Will Tizard, Variety, 1 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • There is no moment of indignation and no complaint to customer service.
    — Dvir Ginzburg, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Each time the answer is a concoction of equal parts indignation, defense, agitation, and defiance.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The club initially argued that Mbappe had no intent to offend while also explaining that players have freedom of expression, which predictably did not go over well.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Gonzalez acknowledged that the messages could offend people who did not share the group’s sense of humor.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Soon, other aggrieved groups—farmers, trade unionists, climate activists, yellow-vest protesters angered by rising costs—joined in, and the demonstrations that followed quickly became some of France’s most widespread and explosive since 1968.
    — Maurice Samuels, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Employers understandably worry that narrowing health benefits will anger workers.
    — Tony Lo Sasso, STAT, 29 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Piker says most viewers on his stream understood the comments as sarcasm.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026
  • There’s a hint of sarcasm in that statement, but also a dose of reality.
    — Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Interest rates are rising, and the public is already rage-filled about higher energy prices.
    — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Meanwhile, social media amplifies political rage bait to drive engagement.
    — Frank Langfitt, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The podcaster Candace Owens drove those theories, infuriating her former employer, Daily Wire founder Ben Shapiro.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The decision has infuriated Democrats and threatened the party’s path to winning a Senate majority.
    — Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Amy’s parents, Birdie (Bailey) and Geoff (Jesson), navigate the indignities of getting older.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The franchise has not earned their trust or patience, not after losing 100 games for the fourth straight season, an indignity last accomplished by the 1962-65 New York Mets.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outrage. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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