ANGER Synonyms: 143 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

anger 1 of 2

noun

ˈaŋ-gər

Definition of anger next

as in indignation

an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something managed to stifle his anger when the receptionist put him on hold for the third time

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

anger

2 of 2

verb

as in to infuriate

to make angry it's virtually impossible to anger Mrs. Peterson—she's the most easygoing person I've ever known

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Sign up for Axios Communicators Tina Reed Jan 6, 2025 - Health More states crank up oversight of health insurers Mounting public anger over health insurance is leading more state legislatures to eye tighter oversight of the industry, starting with its use of AI to screen claims and issue denials. —

Maya Goldman, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025 Blaming the Jade Emperor for creating him that way, the snake’s anger morphed into physiological changes, like growing fangs, and prompted him to snap at the other creatures. —

Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 29 Jan. 2025

Verb

But in a surprising twist — one that angered Judge Timothy Fancourt — both sides on Tuesday asked for more time to thrash out a deal. —

Max Taylor, NBC News, 22 Jan. 2025 Otherwise, the only other fix is charging more, which presents the risk of angering customers and decreasing revenue. —

Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for anger

Recent Examples of Synonyms for anger

Noun

Though this caused quite the chaos and indignation in the industry, in 2016 Rossellini once again accepted the invitation to be their spokesmodel and muse.

— Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 5 Jan. 2025
While this also made headlines and spurred indignation, AI’s environmental impacts are still far from being common knowledge.

— Sasha Luccioni, WIRED, 18 Dec. 2024