OUTRAGE Synonyms: 228 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

outrage 1 of 2

noun

ˈau̇t-ˌrāj

Definition of outrage next

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

outrage

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

The cascade of controversy and outrage recalled some of the more infamous moments of Trump’s first term, such as the chaos of his initial travel ban on people from Muslim countries and his freewheeling briefings during the COVID-19 pandemic. —

Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025 The Chiefs won the game, 32-29, and many fans expressed outrage over multiple calls that benefited Kansas City during the game. —

Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 2 Feb. 2025

Verb

The move outraged the FBI Agents Association and came days after outgoing FBI Director Christopher Wray sent a letter to Biden urging him not to free the killer. —

Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 21 Jan. 2025 The Women's March, spurred by women outraged over Trump's win in 2017, drew more than 500,000 people to Washington and millions more in cities around the country, marking one of the largest single-day demonstrations in U.S. history. —

CBS News, 18 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for outrage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outrage

Noun

During the interview, McEnany spoke openly about being compared, as an insult, to the character of Pat, because of her gender expression.

— Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 13 Feb. 2025
Finally, Smith reiterated that no insult was directed at Williams.

— Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 13 Feb. 2025