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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
Officials said Peanut bit one of the investigators involved in the confiscation and both animals taken were later euthanized to test for rabies, prompting outrage from the massive social media following Longo and Peanut had amassed. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 12 July 2025 Unfortunately, the editorial favored outrage over accuracy, ignoring the broader context and long-term benefit to our residents. Josh Levy, Sun Sentinel, 12 July 2025
Verb
First verdict outrages city The crime was front-page news throughout Ohio and even made its way into newspapers nationwide. Amber Hunt, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 People may be simultaneously outraged by injustice and attached to a functional economy (for themselves and others). Hec Paris Insights, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for outrage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outrage
Noun
  • And the gratuitous insults—to NATO allies, the European Union, the BRICs, the United Nations, or the World Health Organization—continue to flow from the president.
    MARGARET MACMILLAN, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2025
  • The Steals and Deals segment on the WFTV newscasts are annoying and an insult to the viewers!
    Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 July 2025
Noun
  • That indignation, those headlines, the praise for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s bravery and leadership cooling dramatically since those early days–in Europe and America.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • In a matter of minutes seven women were united in indignation.
    Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • The alchemist, offended, replies, my job was the engineering, not the economics.
    Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
  • President Donald Trump has already silenced ABC, CBS, and Facebook, extorting millions of dollars from them for offending him.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • The group invited those angered by rollbacks on things such as voting rights, essential services and free speech to join them July 17, the fifth anniversary of Lewis’ death.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 17 July 2025
  • The story, though, didn't die down and Trump only appeared to grow more angered by the pushback from his supporters.
    Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 16 July 2025
Noun
  • Tommy Jeans Cotton Linen Blend Shorts Shorts with longer inseams are all the rage this summer, so this breathable pair with an elastic waistband will be perfectly on-trend for all your upcoming travels.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2025
  • Fidget spinners — the 3-inch twirling gadgets that took over classrooms and cubicles — were all the rage in 2017.
    Michelle Chapman, Hartford Courant, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • The memo infuriated Kelly and other high-profile members of Trump's coalition, who for years have peddled conspiracy theories claiming Epstein was murdered and that the government covered up an extensive list of wealthy politicians and businesspeople who were involved with Epstein.
    Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
  • But three months are ahead for the always interesting, often amusing, and sometimes infuriating Big Brother.
    Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • According to the post, even after raising concerns, the neighbors doubled down on their behavior, allegedly responding with sarcasm rather than solutions.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
  • Her sarcasm is hilarious to me but also sobering, underscoring the individual lives that will now be upended.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • No matter how much American Presidents have come to resent Netanyahu—Clinton, Bush, Obama, Biden, and Trump have all had their moments of fury with him—none have doubted the presence or the peril of the Iranian nuclear program.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
  • When the guys kicked open the door, they were greeted with 900 pounds of mean Missouri fury.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Outrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outrage. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.

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