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outrage

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verb

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

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 outrage
Noun
Israel has managed to destroy most of Gaza and is in the process of pulverizing parts of Lebanon to international condemnation and outrage and political and diplomatic isolation, but without facing effective efforts to rein it in. Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024 Although Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) led his opponent Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC), military ruler Ibrahim Babangida annulled the results, sparking widespread outrage and unrest across Nigeria, per Neusroom. Jordana Comiter, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
That led to some negative online comments about Gus, who has a nonverbal learning disorder, outraging advocates for children with disabilities. Gabe Hauari, The Courier-Journal, 18 Sep. 2024 The remark outraged conservatives, even as the White House disputed the interpretation of what the president meant. Niall Stanage, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for outrage 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outrage
Noun
  • There was also the larger error of anointing Harris without political competition — an insult to the democratic process that handed the nomination to a candidate who, as some of us warned at the time, was exceptionally weak.
    Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
  • But what garnered the most attention were a comedian’s insults of Puerto Rico, Trump’s violent rhetoric about a political opponent and a comment about women.
    Rebecca Picciotto, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Users expressed their indignation at the boyfriend's actions, recognizing the potential damage to her professional reputation.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Thousands have had their homes destroyed by a tsunami-like wave of muck and indignation at mismanagement of the disaster has begun.
    Joseph Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • This arbitrary and unprecedented anti-business approach offends the rule of law.
    Alden Abbott, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
  • And at least in the most archetypal version of the story — which the movie leans into, hard — Seeger was deeply offended by Dylan’s decision to drown out his own lyrics, and violate the festival’s communal, rootsy spirit with raucous noise.
    Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Since then Christie’s sold off Sly Stallone’s GMC, which seems to have angered Patek CEO Thierry Stern.
    Sophie Furley, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Four years later, when their acting high priest left, Book was angered to be pressured into taking on his responsibilities without the ability to take on the title of High Priest.
    Emma Cieslik, Them, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Devin Williams received back-to-back sentences of 25 years to life in prison for the fatal shootings of Maria and Benison Tran, who were shot at near point-blank range after Williams snuck into their Dublin home and confronted them in a fit of jealous rage.
    Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
  • How to cope right now Don’t suppress your emotions, process them In the immediate aftermath of the election results, you may be flooded with emotions ranging from despair to rage.
    Allie Volpe, Vox, 11 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Jackson showed little remorse for the victims of his violent attacks, which infuriated McManus.
    Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Why was their public support for their son and other families like theirs so infuriating to many conservative Christians? Gushee, the Christian ethicist, has a theory.
    John Blake, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • And people take her sarcasm and her tone very seriously.
    Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Nov. 2024
  • In the height of the singer-songwriter era, when earnest autobiographical confessions were prized as tokens of authenticity, Newman’s use of sarcasm and unlikable protagonists was an act of literary radicalism in pop music.
    David Hajdu, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Hell hath no fury like a librarian scorned in the book banning wars Martin has two children, six cats and a dog.
    Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2024
  • Hurricane Milton followed the catastrophic Hurricane Helene, which unleashed its fury upon the southern Appalachians roughly two weeks ago, after making landfall as a Category 4 storm in Florida's Big Bend — the most powerful storm on record for the region.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 10 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near outrage

Cite this Entry

“Outrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outrage. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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