INDIGNATION Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'indignation' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of indignation are anger , fury , ire , rage , and wrath . While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," indignation stresses righteous anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful. // a comment that caused general indignation

Q: When can 'anger' be used instead of 'indignation'?

The synonyms anger and indignation are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 'ire' be used to replace 'indignation'?

The words ire and indignation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ire , more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling. // cheeks flushed with ire

Q: How are the words 'rage' and 'fury' related as synonyms of 'indignation'?

Both rage and fury suggest loss of self-control from violence of emotion. // shook with rage // could not contain his fury

Q: When is it sensible to use 'wrath' instead of 'indignation'?

While the synonyms wrath and indignation 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

indignation

noun

ˌin-dig-ˈnā-shən

Definition of indignation next

as in anger

an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something their indignation at the offensive television show led them to start a grassroots campaign for its cancellation

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How does the noun indignation differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of indignation are anger, fury, ire, rage, and wrath. While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," indignation stresses righteous anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful.

a comment that caused general indignation

When can anger be used instead of indignation?

The synonyms anger and indignation are sometimes interchangeable, but anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.

tried to hide his anger

When could ire be used to replace indignation?

The words ire and indignation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.

cheeks flushed with ire

How are the words rage and fury related as synonyms of indignation?

Both rage and fury suggest loss of self-control from violence of emotion.

shook with rage

could not contain his fury

When is it sensible to use wrath instead of indignation?

While the synonyms wrath and indignation 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 indignation But others waiting appeared to burn with the indignation of an era in US-Cuban relations that until recently had been relegated to the history books. —

Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026 His indignation was not sugar coated. —

Essence, 20 Jan. 2026 Struber laughs at their polite indignation. —

Stuart James, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026 History offers little support for their selective indignation. —

Timothy M. Herbst, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for indignation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for indignation

Noun

The manipulations also affected how much sadness and anger participants reported feeling while scrolling.

— Simon Makin, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, Iran at home faces still-simmering anger over its wide-ranging suppression of all dissent in the Islamic Republic.

— Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026

Definition of anger

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indignation

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“Indignation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indignation. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 14 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of indignation

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