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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun rage differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rage are anger, fury, indignation, ire, and wrath. While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," rage and fury suggest loss of self-control from violence of emotion.

shook with rage
could not contain his fury

Where would anger be a reasonable alternative to rage?

The words anger and rage can be used in similar contexts, but anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.

tried to hide his anger

When can indignation be used instead of rage?

While in some cases nearly identical to rage, 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 rage?

While the synonyms ire and rage are close in meaning, ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.

cheeks flushed with ire

When is it sensible to use wrath instead of rage?

The synonyms wrath and rage are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 rage
Noun
Creamy fizzy drinks have become all the rage in the last several years. Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025 Head coaches with offensive backgrounds are all the rage and Monken has shown an ability to adapt at both the college and NFL levels to the skill set of his quarterback and his personnel. Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
As the fires raged across Los Angeles on Jan. 8, the day voting for this year’s nominees opened, the Film Academy extended the voting window through Jan. 14 with a plan to announce this year’s nominees on Jan. 19. Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Jan. 2025 These rapid-pace fires have exploded against a backdrop of extreme drought, lack of rain and howling Santa Ana winds, a dangerous combination that's proved deadly as the wildfires continue to rage. Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for rage 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rage
Noun
  • The First Lady arrived at Trump’s second inauguration wearing an outfit that sent social media into a frenzy, with many making comparisons to the character Carmen Sandiego.
    James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Jan. 2025
  • That retribution could be political or simply launching his supporters into a frenzy of social media attacks accompanied at times by a fear of violence.
    Richard J. Davis, New York Daily News, 19 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • After government measures during the Covid pandemic sparked anger and confusion, rolling out a vaccine for H5N1 too soon could do more harm than good.
    Emily Mullin, WIRED, 22 Jan. 2025
  • He was also required to take an anger management course and a 52-week Batterer’s Intervention Program.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Last year, OpenAI, which started the generative AI craze in late 2022 with ChatGPT, introduced a search engine called SearchGPT.
    Hayden Field, CNBC, 18 Jan. 2025
  • In my experience, the main driver behind the AI investment and adoption craze is the measurable value technology offers healthcare providers.
    Sergey Mashchenko, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Advertisement Beverly Glenn-Copeland’s triumphant L.A. debut coincides with forthcoming doc about his dementia Nightclub drag shows will always hold a special place in Delta’s heart.
    Candace Hansen, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
  • With 80% of dementia cases projected to be in the Global South by 2050, international collaboration remains crucial.
    Tarun Galagali, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Hours into his presidency, Trump issued 1,500 pardons of defendants who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to stop the certification of the 2020 election.
    Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 23 Jan. 2025
  • The Blakes are a humble family and the idea of her dad blowing past security to storm the court had Mikayla cracking up.
    Grace Raynor, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Get the recipe > Whole Steamed Fish with Tangerine Peel and Fennel Bright citrus and peppery fennel enliven flaky steamed fish in this elegant banquet-table centerpiece.
    Megan Zhang, Saveur, 16 Jan. 2025
  • In the winter, the opening acts like a chimney for the warmer water below, giving the spring a steaming underworld look and its ominous name.
    Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Security was heightened at the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, after a mob of angry Yoon supporters went on a rampage through the district court that issued a warrant to extend his detention early on Sunday.
    Reuters, CNN, 21 Jan. 2025
  • The Democrats say Republicans are hypocrites for claiming to support law enforcement while simultaneously backing Trump’s decision to pardon more than 1,500 people who were prosecuted for the rampage, including those who attacked police officers protecting the Capitol complex.
    Mike Lillis, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Not only was Allen a known conservative, but his series spoke to the same sense of righteous indignation felt by the MAGA clan.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Jan. 2025
  • This seemingly small, personal decision triggers absolute indignation in her husband, parents, and siblings.
    Ilana Masad, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near rage

Cite this Entry

“Rage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rage. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rage

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