anger 1 of 2

Definition of angernext

anger

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun anger differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of anger are fury, indignation, ire, rage, and wrath. While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.

tried to hide his anger

When could indignation be used to replace anger?

In some situations, the words indignation and anger are roughly equivalent. However, 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 anger?

The meanings of ire and anger largely overlap; however, ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.

cheeks flushed with ire

How do rage and fury relate to one another, in the sense of anger?

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 anger?

While the synonyms wrath and anger are close in meaning, 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 anger
Noun
This spending led to widespread anger and frustration from other fans and media members. Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2026 But some British Jews expressed anger at authorities’ failure to keep them safe. Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
The unique revelry was appropriate for the rising star who has made headlines by angering veterans with aggressive moves. ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026 Imagine the type of conviction Jon-Eric Sullivan must have in Kadyn Proctor to have his first-round selection disappoint, if not anger most of his South Florida fan base? Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for anger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anger
Noun
  • For one thing, when extremely evil people never seem to get their righteous and fiery comeuppance, my rage can curdle a bit.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
  • Hathaway’s Catwoman is one of her best takes on feminine rage, juggling a sense of righteousness and nihilism that might clang unconvincingly in the hands of a different performer.
    Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Her three opponents have accused her of mismanaging the office, presiding over growing legal payouts and making a series of missteps that infuriated members of the City Council.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
  • The court struck down that portion of the legislation, a move that infuriated Cindy's family.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Her fury at Helios employees being treated so shabbily is matched only by her disbelief at Ger and his crew’s recklessness in allowing the consoles monitoring and controlling all of Happy Valley’s life-support systems and communications with the Titan mission unstaffed.
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 1 May 2026
  • Next up is the chief stew, a stunningly attractive redheaded woman with a face frozen somewhere between fury and disdain.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Griffin and opponents of Mamdani were enraged.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
  • Wave head coach Jonas Eidevall walked off the pitch enraged after being shown a red card 10 minutes before his team suffered a 1-0 loss to Bay FC.
    Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • The incident sparked outrage and was condemned by Israel’s leaders and military.
    Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 1 May 2026
  • But after parent outrage surrounding safety and environmental concerns, the district changed its tune.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • The non-meat use of the term came from the online chat room community, which by the late 1980s was already using it to denote a mass influx of data into their chat rooms that could trigger a computer crash and/or annoy chat room users.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
  • As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the president doesn’t get annoyed with him once or twice.
    NBC news, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Where is the indignation about this from politicians, community leaders and clergy?
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
  • Rhys, long an expert at instilling indignation with soulful sentiment, gets pushed further here.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Or risk the wrath of being on the wrong side.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 7 Apr. 2026
  • The immediate object of Uthmeier’s wrath is the Rooney Rule, voluntarily adopted more than two decades ago by the NFL to ensure that minority candidates are interviewed for coaching positions.
    Howard L. Simon, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Anger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anger. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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