Definition of outragenext
1
2

outrage

2 of 2

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
But an outrage-machine player can’t hate the attention-economy game. Josh Eells, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026 To this day, Dahlia insists that Sub Pop knew about the stunt, only to turn course and drop the band amid the ensuing outrage. Michael Tedder, SPIN, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
Victims’ families were outraged at the news, believing that freeing Megrahi was about politics and not justice. Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026 Progress threatened by 'stomach-churning' politics Leaders at the Joyful Heart Foundation were outraged by the funding threats. Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for outrage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outrage
Noun
  • There’s blood and insults and exasperation and pain and horror.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The amendment aims to prevent players from hiding insults or other abuse — including discriminatory remarks — behind their hand, arm or jersey.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Mind you, Miss Manners agrees with your indignation at this fraudulent maneuver.
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
  • And Anne Hathaway, in a bravura performance, situates Penelope on an emotional precipice, caught between indecision and indignation, between yearning for her husband and a palpable disgust with the alternatives.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • The offending text directed any AI system reviewing the document to ensure textual outputs agreed with the plaintiff’s arguments, ignored prior denials from the court, and ensured that remediation would follow as the plaintiff desired.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026
  • No woman or girl should have to give up her right to bodily privacy and safety to avoid offending a man.
    Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The two women who won jury trials in their lawsuits against the county are angered that the county has opted to appeal.
    Sean Emery, Oc Register, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Public backlash is prompting San Diego to reopen 13 restrooms in Mission Bay Park this Friday after a six-week closure during the heart of summer that angered city residents and tourists.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Back on the main stage, Mumford also stripped away the silliness and sarcasm.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Her business-strategy forecasting was met with sarcasm and disdain — her role as pop’s leading philosopher somewhat rejected by people online.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 23 July 2026
Noun
  • In 2024, the artist added a fifth video, Keening, addressing collective mourning and rage after October 7, 2023, in which Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and took 240 more hostage.
    Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Furious at seeing piles of dead bodies, Wolverine unlocks a rage ability where his devastating attacks do even more damage.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But some one-time backers have been infuriated by his support last month for a law that would prevent the arrest of ultra-Orthodox Jews for avoiding the military draft.
    Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The trade infuriated fans and likely delighted the MLB executives and owners who are thirsty to implement a hard salary cap in the next collective bargaining agreement.
    Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Moreover, because the Sears catalog did not racially discriminate, economic historians credit the catalog as a major tool for Black consumers to side-step the indignities and discrimination of Jim Crow commerce.
    Harold Pollack, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • For generations, the 103-year-old Catholic parish has been a beacon of solace and resistance for residents angry about the latest indignity to befall the historic heart of Latino Los Angeles.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outrage. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on outrage

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!