Synonyms of outrage

outrage 1 of 2

noun

ˈau̇t-ˌrāj 

1

as in insult

an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings

the booing during the graduation speech was an outrage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insult
• sarcasm
• indignity
• affront
• offense
• slap
• epithet
• attack
• barb
• disgrace
• slur
• slight
• name
• criticism
• dart
• personality
• brickbat
• dis
• shame
• disapproval
• poke
• vituperation
• abuse
• taunt
• invective
• sneer
• put-down
• dig
• jeer
• gird
• mock
• cut
• opprobrium
• gibe
• quip
• dishonor
• torture
• catcall
• swipe
• torment
• knock
• slam

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praise
• compliment
• applause
• commendation
• acclaim
• accolade
• flattery
• adulation

2

as in indignation

an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something

the actress could barely contain her outrage at being passed over for an Oscar yet again

Synonyms & Similar Words

• indignation
• anger
• rage
• fury
• wrath
• mood
• irritation
• wrathfulness
• exasperation
• ire
• madness
• contempt
• furor
• resentment
• irritability
• jealousy
• bitterness
• annoyance
• hostility
• spleen
• mad
• slow burn
• choler
• angriness
• lividity
• temper
• malice
• grudge
• outburst
• animosity
• birse
• irateness
• lividness
• venom
• envy
• antagonism
• antipathy
• enmity
• spite
• bile
• rancor
• aggravation
• vitriol
• vexation
• embitterment
• vindictiveness
• acrimony
• pique
• malevolence
• virulence
• belligerence
• vengefulness
• jaundice
• biliousness
• pugnacity
• heat
• dudgeon
• contentiousness
• crankiness
• warmth
• irascibility
• contrariness
• querulousness
• delirium
• quarrelsomeness
• pugnaciousness
• pet
• flare
• blowup
• dander
• road rage
• huff
• orneriness
• rise
• acrimoniousness
• passion
• hot-headedness
• empoisonment
• disputatiousness
• ruffle
• chafe
• air rage
• irascibleness
• flare-up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasure
• delight
• patience
• forbearance
• calmness

outrage

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to insult

to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in

the spiteful comment outraged her so much that she's still holding a grudge

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insult
• offend
• affront
• disrespect
• upset
• taunt
• wound
• slap
• hurt
• slight
• displease
• trouble
• pain
• disturb
• distress
• mock
• ridicule
• dis
• snub
• jeer
• libel
• torture
• torment
• slander
• sneer (at)
• revile
• slur
• disparage
• smear
• miff
• malign
• oppress
• defame
• persecute
• cut

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• applaud
• approve
• acclaim
• praise
• hail
• commend
• compliment
• honor
• eulogize
• delight
• flatter
• please
• satisfy
• exalt
• gratify
• glorify
• adulate
• sweet-talk

2

as in to anger

to make angry

the vandalism in the cemetery outraged the entire community

we were outraged to discover that we had been overcharged for our hotel room

Synonyms & Similar Words

• anger
• infuriate
• enrage
• annoy
• ire
• mad
• irritate
• rile
• inflame
• offend
• steam up
• roil
• rankle
• madden
• incense
• tick off
• affront
• provoke
• aggravate
• rub the wrong way
• pique
• exasperate
• burn (up)
• miff
• huff
• peeve
• get one's goat
• vex
• ruffle
• put out
• cross
• nettle
• antagonize
• embitter
• get
• envenom

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• delight
• please
• relieve
• gratify
• allay
• assuage
• comfort
• soothe
• console
• appease
• placate
• calm
• pacify
• quiet
• charm
• conciliate
• settle
• lull
• mollify
• disarm
• captivate
• beguile
• enchant
• bewitch

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

Recent Examples of outrage

Noun

And suddenly, out of nowhere, FIFA lifted Balogun’s ban, a decision that drew outrage from many international teams and fans. — Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026

Ronaldo is the most obvious comparison to Balogun, but FIFA’s suspension rules have not been nearly as rigid as the outrage suggests. — Amber Harding, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026

Verb

Its realignment outraged Russia and put a target on its back as one of the West’s easternmost bulwarks against Moscow’s sphere of influence. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2026

Those leaders should be outraged, not celebrating the memorandum of understanding (MOU). — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2026