IRE Synonyms: 143 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'ire' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ire are anger , fury , indignation , rage , and wrath . While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," ire , more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling. // cheeks flushed with ire

Q: In what contexts can 'anger' take the place of 'ire'?

While the synonyms anger and ire are close in meaning, anger , the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity. // tried to hide his anger

Q: When is it sensible to use 'indignation' instead of 'ire'?

In some situations, the words indignation and ire are roughly equivalent. However, indignation stresses righteous anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful. // a comment that caused general indignation

Q: How are the words 'rage' and 'fury' related as synonyms of 'ire'?

Both rage and fury suggest loss of self-control from violence of emotion. // shook with rage // could not contain his fury

Q: Where would 'wrath' be a reasonable alternative to 'ire'?

While in some cases nearly identical to ire , wrath is likely to suggest a desire or intent to punish or get revenge. // I feared her wrath if I was discovered

ire 1 of 2

noun

ˈī(-ə)r

Definition of ire next

as in indignation

an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something the patronizing comment from the snooty waiter roused her ire

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ire

2 of 2

verb

as in to anger

to make angry nothing ires him more than having to wait for his dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the noun ire differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ire are anger, fury, indignation, rage, and wrath. While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.

cheeks flushed with ire

In what contexts can anger take the place of ire?

While the synonyms anger and ire are close in meaning, anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.

tried to hide his anger

When is it sensible to use indignation instead of ire?

In some situations, the words indignation and ire are roughly equivalent. However, indignation stresses righteous anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful.

a comment that caused general indignation

How are the words rage and fury related as synonyms of ire?

Both rage and fury suggest loss of self-control from violence of emotion.

shook with rage

could not contain his fury

Where would wrath be a reasonable alternative to ire?

While in some cases nearly identical to ire, wrath is likely to suggest a desire or intent to punish or get revenge.

I feared her wrath if I was discovered

Examples 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 ire

Noun

That has raised predictable ire from the oil industry and Republicans, but some Democrats and environmentalists are also demanding that regulators give straight answers. —

Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024 As Columbia University’s Adam Tooze points out, while activists were focusing their ire on the United States, about 20 years ago China surpassed U.S. CO2 levels and is today, by far, the world’s largest source of emissions. —

Dan Ikenson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 Donald Trump could face the ire of Puerto Ricans in the swing state of Pennsylvania when the former president heads to the state for a Tuesday night rally. —

Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024 The failure of the U.S. Secret Service – on Biden’s watch – to identify Crooks as a threat ahead of Trump’s appearance drew the most ire. —

Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ire

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ire

Noun

When Wiley returns a few minutes later with a tissue, his indignation has come back, too.

Rachel Corbett, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024
On Wednesday night, when news of the pending indictment was reported by the Times, but before details of the charges were publicly known, Adams offered the public the same righteous indignation.

Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2024