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rage

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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 suburban Tokyo, a fourteen-year-old krump prodigy channels his unspoken rage into dance while his single mother quietly raises him and his sister, who lives with a disability. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 May 2026 Shyanne visibly melts a little in the background, and Jinx begins vibrating with rage and self-hatred. Erin Qualey, Vulture, 6 May 2026
Verb
The latest attempts to remap the South come after political battles have raged for months in other states. Bart Jansen, USA Today, 1 May 2026 The best ones can place in your mind’s eye an indelible image of an inaccessible summit, a raging waterfall, or a lonely desert. Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for rage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rage
Noun
  • While valuations for household-name series IP have come down to earth a bit since the frenzy around Friends, South Park and The Office during the streaming explosion several years ago, The Walking Dead rights will surely fetch several hundred million dollars.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 8 May 2026
  • But there's a nostalgic and unexpected appeal to the bustling frenzy of a flea market.
    Heather Bien, Southern Living, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • The family’s anger has subsided some since the baby’s death, in part because of their trust in God’s plan.
    Duaa Eldeib, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
  • The Nuggets need more athleticism, more length, more anger, more hunger.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • The gaming retail chain made famous in the 2021 meme stock craze will need billions more to actually buy eBay, whose market value is now $48 billion.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
  • Built by casino owners in 1962 at the height of tiki fever, the low-rise house channels the postwar Polynesian craze sparked in part by soldiers returning from the Pacific and further fueled by pop culture phenomena such as Elvis Presley’s 1961 hit movie Blue Hawaii.
    Zoey Goto, Architectural Digest, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • Her husband and Gali’s father Benni (Yossi Marshek) is in the advanced stages of early-onset dementia.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 8 May 2026
  • Stronger biological system function may help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia and some cancers.
    Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • Mountaga Tall’s home in the capital, Bamako, was stormed shortly before midnight Saturday, his relative Mahmoud Touré told AP.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
  • Winter storming warnings will go into effect for parts of Wyoming and Colorado including Rocky Mountain National Park from late May 4 through May 6.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • Regardless, steaming your clothes shouldn’t leave them damp.
    Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 4 May 2026
  • Ideal for reheating leftovers and frozen food, steaming food in the microwave, and at-a-glance food storage for easy grab and go.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • Hours after the terrifying rampage, a similar fatal incident took place at Koodalminikyam Temple in Irinjalakuda when an elephant that had shown signs of restlessness during a ritual procession the night before broke out of its enclosure and attacked its handlers, per News Karnataka.
    Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
  • The above breaks trends that began with Norris’ upset 2024 Miami Grand Prix win that broke the Invincible Verstappen rampage.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Where is the indignation about this from politicians, community leaders and clergy?
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
  • Rhys, long an expert at instilling indignation with soulful sentiment, gets pushed further here.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rage. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

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