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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

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
Republican operatives have downplayed the significance of the protests, saying the outrage has largely been manufactured by liberal activist groups that have encouraged their members to attend — and disrupt — the GOP forums. Mike Lillis, The Hill, 20 Apr. 2025 But Clark, at just 23, has already learned to tune out distractions like the latest online outrage, something Williams got better at later in her career. Sean Gregory, Time, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
The shooting Saturday in Pocatello outraged the boy's family and neighbors as well as viewers online who questioned why the officers opened fire within about 12 seconds of exiting their patrol cars while making no apparent effort to de-escalate the situation or use less lethal weapons. CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025 On Saturday, tens of thousands of protesters outraged by Trump's leadership since his return to office for a second term on January 20 took to the streets in all 50 states. John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outrage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outrage
Noun
  • The imitation Punisher logo on Cole’s bullet was no act of flattery, but the most vile of insults.
    Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2025
  • But some Republican registrars took them as an insult, and at least one, Lisa Amatruda of Woodbury, walked out.
    Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Smithsonian, the vast complex of museums that millions of Americans visit every year to see Lincoln’s top hat, the Spirit of St. Louis, Harriet Tubman’s shawl, a moon rock, and Dorothy’s ruby slippers, is at the center of the executive order’s indignation.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
  • In a moment of feigned indignation, Sandler threatened to storm out of the ceremony, which prompted O'Brien to apologize for his attack.
    Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Supreme Court justices sounded ready on Tuesday to give parents a constitutional right to opt out of public school lessons for their children that offend their religious beliefs.
    David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
  • But in a world where Chrome is castigated as the worst offending mainstream browser for privacy and tracking, this will land flat.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This week, President Donald Trump froze $2.2 billion in grants to Harvard University, angering members of the Elbow Patch Mafia around America.
    Christian Schneider, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
  • That meeting angered Israeli officials, and reportedly Dermer in particular.
    Alex Marquardt, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • At the time, designer-label wool pencil skirts, sheer blouses, flares, furs and leather coats were all the rage, but with the launch of Dressbarn, Jaffe managed to offer her customers the latest in fashion, including designer looks, at much lower prices.
    David Moin, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Seems like podcasts are all the rage these days, so what makes Tracy's any different?
    Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • For many out-of-network doctors, payments lower than their invoices are an infuriating part of doing business.
    T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Image On the left, the governor’s decision to engage with Mr. Kirk has infuriated Mr. Newsom’s allies.
    Laurel Rosenhall, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Examples include belittling comments, patronizing questions, frequent interruptions, eye-rolling, sarcasm and mean jokes.
    Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
  • The episode also saw the sisters reflect on their relationship, which, as is typical with sisters, is filled with plenty of sarcasm and quips.
    Julia Moore, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Trump’s supporters responded to the ruling with fury, with some calling for the administration to ignore the emergency decision.
    Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Some supporters of President Donald Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement have reacted with fury after Karmelo Anthony, who is accused of murdering fellow high school student Austin Metcalf, was able to bond out after a judge on Monday reduced his bond from $1 million to $250,000.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Outrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outrage. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

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