outrage 1 of 2

noun

ˈau̇t-ˌrāj How to pronounce outrage (audio)
Definition of outragenext
1
as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings the booing during the graduation speech was an outrage

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2
as in indignation
an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something the actress could barely contain her outrage at being passed over for an Oscar yet again

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outrage

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to insult
to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in the spiteful comment outraged her so much that she's still holding a grudge

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2
as in to anger
to make angry the vandalism in the cemetery outraged the entire community we were outraged to discover that we had been overcharged for our hotel room

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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
Elon Musk’s budget slashing efforts are fueling violent protests at Tesla dealerships and igniting more outrage at voter townhalls. — Nbc News, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2025 In some instances, content policy changes have been met with outrage and backlash from users who had grown accustomed to digital spaces with few restrictions. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
These measures have outraged Democrats and voters, sparking fears and uncertainty around the future of many federal agencies as the department slashes their workforce. — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025 Wilde was outraged by the Lord Chamberlain’s denial of his and other English playwrights’ right to free creative expression. — E.r. Zarevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outrage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outrage
  1. insult
  2. indignation
  3. offend
  4. anger
  5. rage
  6. infuriate
  7. sarcasm
  8. fury
Noun
  • In a workplace that’s increasingly remote, fast-paced, independent and ever-changing, these aren’t insults.
    — Nirit Cohen, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Recent White House comments and insults directed at NATO allies – as well as the military alliance itself – have raised alarm and confusion.
    — Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of insult
Noun
  • Newcastle United fans will be used to the fact that they aren’t allowed to enjoy these occasions before sports journalists’ chin-stroking moral indignation takes hold.
    — Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The Baldwins shame him, but their righteous indignation feels insincere considering Baldwin wasn’t using her name in that footage with detectives.
    — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of indignation
Verb
  • If, like me, you’re not offended by raisins in your carrot cake, Costco’s carrot bar cake is available now in the bakery’s refrigerator section.
    — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025
  • That was a diplomatic answer perhaps designed to avoid offending Trump.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of offend
Verb
  • That effort failed, but as one of the last acts of his first governorship, Brown signed a bill to increase payments to such workers by about $3 billion a year, angering employers who must provide coverage.
    — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Other nations, angered by the new American tariffs, will impose their own retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, reducing the sales of America’s most internationally competitive companies.
    — Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of anger
Noun
  • Male rage, particularly on display in parts of the manosphere, has been steadily rising.
    — Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Also, the trade war rages, and there were mass firings at key scientific agencies.
    — Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of rage
Verb
  • Crook told police the woman driving the Tesla had bumped his truck when opening her car door, infuriating him.
    — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2025
  • And Democrats bet that Mr. Musk would infuriate their voters more than Mr. Trump’s endorsement would benefit Judge Schimel.
    — Reid J. Epstein, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of infuriate
Noun
  • While slight disparities have been common in the past, the major difference sparked fury among Arab Muslims on social media, sarcasm and confusion for travelers.
    — Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Investors did not appreciate his sarcasm either, and the stock is down 2.6% since GTC25 kicked off.
    — Karl Freund, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of sarcasm
Noun
  • Even with boycotts planned through the summer, Shelley Kohan, a Forbes retail contributor, writes that the biggest question is how can consumers voice their fury without tanking the economy.
    — DeArbea Walker, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • In Katie’s case, being the object of Jamie’s fury cost her her life.
    — Judy Berman, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of fury

Browse Nearby Words

outracing
outrage
outraged
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Cite this Entry

“Outrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outrage. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.

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