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
In 1953 Arthur Miller’s The Crucible mirrored the ongoing witch hunt of the House Un-American Activities Committee; three years later John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger gave voice to the frustration and rage of the postwar generation in Britain. — Simon Callow, The New York Review of Books, 19 Sep. 2026 Highlighting female rage, season four also features the stories of notable killers Countess Elizabeth Báthory (Krieps) and Aileen Wuornos (Sarah Paulson). — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
While some members of Congress from both the Democratic and Republican parties have advocated for bills to check the progress of AI, Trump on Monday raged against growing calls for AI regulation. — Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026 As debate rages over how to respond to the growing power of artificial intelligence, Bill Gates is throwing a billion dollars and some words of wisdom at the problem. — Ella Chakarian, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rage
Noun
  • Test your knowledge of fast-food frenzy, campaign controversy and more in this week's American Culture Quiz.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • That puts the target on AI stocks, which soared for years in the frenzy around the technology.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • With seven months left in his term, Macron’s approval ratings are near record lows, driven by anger over the rising cost of living and criticism of France’s growing debt and deficit and deteriorating public services.
    — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Sadness and anger do not fully capture how our agency feels today.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Luxor and Aswan Draw Renewed Attention Upper Egypt has been attracting interest along with the museum craze in Cairo.
    — Connie Etemadi, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026
  • In the lead-up to the film, the craze has been gestating on social media.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • However, human studies have not demonstrated that nicotine can prevent dementia, slow Alzheimer’s disease progression, preserve long-term cognitive function or improve outcomes in Parkinson’s disease.
    — Hasmeena Kathuria, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
  • With science linking more health benefits to caffeine, from better heart health and a lower risk of dementia, this pathway might just be the key force behind it.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 21 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Georgia needed only 24 offensive plays to storm out to a 28-0 halftime lead as its defense forced and feasted on Oklahoma errors.
    — Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Zverev served for the match in the second set but double-faulted to hand De Minaur a break and the Australian stormed back into it.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Exhibiting a pile of hot, steaming garbage might have been more transgressive than showing these sculptures.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • In a crockery pot, my father steams cauliflower, stirring it round and round.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • And, of course, there won’t be many people who want to defend someone in that position — or, indeed, listen to any hard-luck stories — now the details have been outlined in court about his motorway rampage.
    — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The Indians continued their rampage on Thursday night, putting up 41 more points in Week 3 as the Indians came away with a 41-27 win over McKinney Boyd in front of a homecoming crowd at Keller ISD Stadium.
    — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • This hampers several of my favorite performances, especially Harper, whose Ben is full of sarcastic indignation, and June Laporte as Ginny, an aspiring reporter in need of proper mentoring.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Both our indignation when the wicked flourish and our sorrow when the righteous suffer have their source in this assumption.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rage. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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