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
The northern edge of this week’s heat dome is perfectly placed over northern Minnesota and southern Ontario, where wildfires rage. Dakota Smith, CNN Money, 14 July 2026 If thinking of these children’s parents fills me with rage, consideration of their grandparents fills me with grief. Literary Hub, 14 July 2026
Verb
The raging waters and lush countryside that surround the foursome, however, are actually nowhere near the American midwest; cameras were rolling throughout the Canadian province of Manitoba and its capital city, Winnipeg. Michael Gioia, Architectural Digest, 16 July 2026 Rather than raging in the punk tradition, her voice is an elegant and flexible participant in the compositions. Lawrence Burney, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rage
Noun
  • The feeding frenzy for Parsons follows the similar hunt to land Obsession director Barker’s next original project.
    Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2026
  • After all, cyclosporiasis cases traditionally rise in the summer, and the frenzy of news around the parasite likely prompted people who typically would have weathered the illness at home to get tested.
    Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
Noun
  • The quick exit has led to a reckoning within South Korea's football world — fueled by intense anger over accusations of favoritism and cronyism involved in the appointment of coach Hong Myung-bo.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 16 July 2026
  • Welcome to the strange phenomenon of people expressing anger or helplessness to online content creators or writers who don’t acknowledge their specific lifestyles or limitations.
    Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Noun
  • So good was their relationship that when a viral social media craze called the Ice Bucket Challenge swarmed around the world in 2014, Anderson felt brave enough to nominate the fearsome Scot.
    Chris McKenna, New York Times, 16 July 2026
  • As the sourdough bread craze continues, more companies are producing their own loaves for shoppers to try.
    Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • In some diseases such as frontal lobe dementia, which damages executive function instead of memory, tangles can accumulate without the presence of amyloid.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • Be aware that most group homes have a significant population of seniors with dementia.
    R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 14 July 2026
Verb
  • It’s celebrated on July 14 because that’s the day Parisians stormed the Bastille fortress and prison in 1789, helping spark the French Revolution that overthrew the monarchy and sent King Louis XVI and his queen Marie-Antoinette to the guillotine.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
  • Jenny was left fuming after the stunning admission and eventually stormed off into her tent.
    Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026
Verb
  • In fact, one of the first things most folks will want to do, possibly before even grabbing a drink or snack, is to rip off those steaming boots and slide on something more comfortable.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 July 2026
  • Lucien Laviscount enters the scene and steams it up as Hot Guy who fandangoes with Laila and then upends the apple cart later on.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Noun
  • For example, nine people died in 2024 from elephant rampages at Kerala temple festivals.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • Brandon Aiyuk continued his online rampage against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, taking shots at the team and his now former agent as the disgruntled wide receiver keeps publicly pleading for his release.
    Mercury News staff, Mercury News, 28 June 2026
Noun
  • Any suggestion that the hot hit of spice barely disguising a watery want of flavor was all too fitting a symbol for this phase in Madonna’s career would have been met with indignation.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
  • Advertisements extending beyond traditional commercial breaks to include live presenter endorsements and real-time odds promotions have sparked a fresh wave of indignation, with politicians across the political spectrum calling for tighter controls.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rage. Accessed 20 Jul. 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