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rage

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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

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 rage
Noun
After using his legs to pick up yardage and throwing into tight windows for two touchdowns, the Buffaloes product has been all the rage. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025 The Rainmaker is a taut thriller driven by relentless cynicism toward the state of the legal profession and simmering rage at the state of the health insurance industry. Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
Rhys Jones, a travel insurance specialist at GoCompare, told CNBC that the price comparison website has increasingly been receiving inquiries about what how to handle traveling in an area were wildfires raged at one point, or if there's a risk of blazes. Sophie Kiderlin,sam Meredith, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2025 Chaos raged for three days between members of the Black and Hasidic Jewish communities after a Hasidic man hit a Black child with his car. Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 19 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rage
Noun
  • Adding to those concerns were remarks from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who drew a parallel between today’s AI frenzy and the 1990s dot-com bubble.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025
  • House prices skyrocketed across the U.S. following the 2020 pandemic when a homebuying frenzy paired with low mortgage rates to result in a lack of available housing.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • For those on the fringes of the fan protest, maintaining the anger to rally against those in charge probably becomes harder in those circumstances.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Rodgers said that Wong, during a psychological evaluation while in custody, denied having problems controlling his anger and said he’s never been verbally abusive, threatening or violent when angry.
    Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Younger generations are less beer-curious than the millennials who helped fuel the craft craze.
    Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2025
  • The polka dot craze shows no signs of slowing down this fall, and this ruched asymmetrical midi dress is such a chic way to partake in the trend.
    Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Frontotemporal dementia, commonly called FTD, is the most common form of dementia for people under the age of 60.
    Jen Juneau, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Bruce Willis is now living in a separate one-story home, away from his family but with round-the-clock care, as part of his dementia treatment, the actor’s wife, Emma Heming Willis, revealed in a new ABC special, Emma & Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Millay’s mother stormed into the office, threatening a lawsuit.
    Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
  • In a rare move, a group of Hamas militants on Wednesday stormed an Israeli military position in southern Gaza, leading to close range fighting.
    Daniel Estrin, NPR, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • They’re wrapped in banana leaves instead of corn husks, are flatter and more rectangular in shape, and are about three times the size of the kind traditionally steamed in corn husks (perfect for sharing).
    Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • The Cortado, a new style of coffee drink Starbucks added earlier this year, is made with three ristretto shots of Blonde Espresso and steamed milk (ristretto espresso shots are smaller and more concentrated than traditional ones).
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • One of the shooters in the 1999 Columbine School shooting posted the band’s lyrics on his website prior to the rampage.
    Claudia Lauer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Wang Wei sets out on a rampage, confronting both the corrupt police and the criminals.
    Sara Merican, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Well, St James’ Park threatens to be another level entirely for Liverpool’s visit: a Bank Holiday Monday, under the floodlights, with Newcastle and their fans seething with indignation about Alexander Isak’s behaviour and Liverpool’s pursuit of him.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Chase resigned in indignation and took refuge at the League.
    Anne Halsey, JSTOR Daily, 6 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rage. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

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