rage 1 of 2

Definition of ragenext
1
2
3
4

rage

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun rage differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rage are anger, fury, indignation, ire, and wrath. While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," rage and fury suggest loss of self-control from violence of emotion.

shook with rage
could not contain his fury

Where would anger be a reasonable alternative to rage?

The words anger and rage can be used in similar contexts, but anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.

tried to hide his anger

When can indignation be used instead of rage?

While in some cases nearly identical to rage, indignation stresses righteous anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful.

a comment that caused general indignation

In what contexts can ire take the place of rage?

While the synonyms ire and rage are close in meaning, ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.

cheeks flushed with ire

When is it sensible to use wrath instead of rage?

The synonyms wrath and rage are sometimes interchangeable, but wrath is likely to suggest a desire or intent to punish or get revenge.

I feared her wrath if I was discovered

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 rage
Noun
For one, the Frenchie vision is just corny and clumsy, and so is the idea of Kimiko harnessing the power of love to defeat the bad guy without succumbing to vengeful rage. Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 20 May 2026 The two teenage suspects in this week’s deadly attack on a San Diego mosque appear to have written a 75-page document replete with neo-Nazi ideology, incel rage and racist meme culture drawn from the darkest corners of the internet. Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 20 May 2026
Verb
Wildfires are raging in Florida. Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 14 May 2026 The storm raged unabated, and our fears continued to mount. Ben East, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for rage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rage
Noun
  • Two pitches later, Bader sent Oracle Park into a frenzy.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 23 May 2026
  • After some initial media frenzy during spring training with the Orioles last year, the scrutiny died down.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 23 May 2026
Noun
  • In the years since, Danny struggled with anger problems that pushed his ex-wife away and left him estranged from his son.
    Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 23 May 2026
  • Hannah’s onscreen lover, Garrett, struggles with anger issues stemming from childhood trauma and an abusive father.
    Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 22 May 2026
Noun
  • The series also taps into the current craze of new-adult stories — that is, focused on characters in that stage of life between teen and full-fledged adulthood — many specifically set in the pressure-cooker environment that college and university settings naturally supply to make romance spark.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2026
  • But observers worry the island’s heavy reliance on computer chipmakers and other technology companies carries risk if the AI craze becomes a bubble.
    Reuters, NBC news, 20 May 2026
Noun
  • Then came my grandfather who passed away from cancer after a long battle with dementia.
    Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
  • Renner's attorney, Danielle Coysh, denied that her client had any involvement in Jor'Dynn's death and said Renner has dementia.
    Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026
Verb
  • Manzo was 21 when gunmen stormed an Uruapan nightclub not far from his mother’s dress shop and rolled five human heads onto the dance floor.
    Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
  • Continue reading … IN OTHER NEWS MOB CHAOS — Soccer fans storm field in 22 minutes flat, forcing players to flee for their lives.
    , FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Edamame is another easy option—try steaming it and topping it with a sprinkle of salt.
    Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 19 May 2026
  • Today, Meta is steaming toward its own field of ice.
    Bhakti Mirchandani, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026
Noun
  • Within an hour of the celebration’s ending, the gunman began his rampage.
    Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
  • There were 12 separate shootings during the rampage, which police say appeared random, including at a fire station.
    Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
Noun
  • These justices have shown no particular alarm or regret over the sweeping attack on Black voting power that has followed their erosion of the VRA, displaying instead a haughty indignation that anyone would criticize their decisions or rationale.
    Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
  • Where is the indignation about this from politicians, community leaders and clergy?
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rage. Accessed 25 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on rage

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster