outrage 1 of 2

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
The plans have sparked outrage and violent protests among Kenyans. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 12 June 2026 Families of the victims responded to that verdict with outrage and some are looking to Arredondo’s trial as another opportunity for justice. Josh Margolin, ABC News, 12 June 2026
Verb
But the video, which came out three weeks ago, has outraged many of the business class. Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 6 May 2026 Orlando was right to be outraged. Jesse Plunkett, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for outrage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outrage
Noun
  • Former Chair Jerome Powell for months was hit with insults when the Fed either didn't lower rates, or didn't lower them enough.
    Rachel Barber, USA Today, 17 June 2026
  • Turns out, this is a term of endearment, not an insult.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • Many expressed indignation that a climate-friendly clothing brand would appear to go after a beloved climate activist.
    Brittany Peterson, Fortune, 12 June 2026
  • Others use their out-of-office emails to either apologize profusely for time away or highlight their indignation at being tied to work or the internet in the first place.
    Isabel Fattal, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
Verb
  • Qatari midfielder Assim Madibo was sent off for the offending tackle and appeared distraught before he was ejected.
    Mark Hodge, NBC news, 19 June 2026
  • At intervals John would shamble around the stage in a cruel parody of a disabled person, which in those days offended no one.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • The four leaders have also angered Trump by criticizing how he’s gone about executing the war and his lack of consultation with allies before jumping into a conflict that’s hurt the global economy as oil prices have surged.
    Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 12 June 2026
  • The four leaders have also angered Trump by criticizing how he's gone about executing the war and his lack of consultation with allies before jumping into a conflict that's hurt the global economy as oil prices have surged.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • That is said without the least bit of sarcasm.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026
  • The sarcasm-and-saga methodology is being applied to something that’s too thin to support it.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • Still social media rage is still engagement of sorts, and the company no doubt raised awareness of its 20th anniversary.
    Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2026
  • Jackie's soon-to-be mother-in-law channels all her resentment and rage into breaking up her son's engagement by becoming an absolute terror.
    Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • The money raised is not set to go into the state’s Medi-Cal funding but instead into the general fund, infuriating advocates who note Newsom’s budget maintains rollbacks to health insurance for undocumented immigrants, low-income elderly Californians and other vulnerable populations.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026
  • Lawyers just can’t stop being caught using AI chatbots, polluting their filings with hallucinated citations that infuriate judges when they’re caught.
    Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • Though the indignity ran deep, our ancestors refused to bow.
    John E. Jackson Sr, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026
  • The family members either submitted to the indignities—the false testimony, the obscene bullet fees—or were asked for bribes as high as $7,000 to avoid consigning their relatives to mass graves.
    Laura Secor, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Outrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outrage. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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