as in indignation
an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something
the patronizing comment from the snooty waiter roused her ire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to anger
to make angry
nothing ires him more than having to wait for his dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 ire
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
The country had already barred Washington from using two key air bases in southern Spain, attracting the White House's ire.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Around a half hour of public comment followed the announcement, as speakers voiced both disappointment in the teacher’s departure and ire over the post to his personal social media.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ire
Noun
Meanwhile, the reigning champs frequently put Towns in defensive actions, often creating wide-open driving lanes to the rim, much to the ire of head coach Mike Brown.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
The country had already barred Washington from using two key air bases in southern Spain, attracting the White House's ire.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
The controversial project The prospect of an ICE detention center in a Kansas City warehouse has drawn criticism and ire for weeks.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Around a half hour of public comment followed the announcement, as speakers voiced both disappointment in the teacher’s departure and ire over the post to his personal social media.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ire
Noun
-
Surely there was something more beneath all this mild pleasantness, some edge of resentment, a few shards of indignation on the brink of cutting through.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
To his astonishment — and culinary indignation — the screen returned an absolute void.—
Paula Soria,
AZCentral.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Although this was not the first time Ticketmaster’s price surges had angered fans, the controversies reached a new peak just months later when botched ticket sales for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour triggered widespread outrage and congressional scrutiny.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Fellow cast member Meghan King became skeptical of his symptoms and questioned his illness, which angered many of her costars — including Gunvalson.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
My refusal to accept his drinking has led him to cast his wrath upon me on occasion.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Washington Post,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Mullin will also face congressional Democrats’ wrath as lawmakers on Capitol Hill have already begun to investigate DHS for the massive contracts to individuals and companies that were inexperienced, had connections to Noem’s staff, or contained other irregularities.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The plaintiffs’ lawyers also have complained that delays infuriate their clients, who expect higher payouts as cases drag on.—
Joe Mahr,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The liberal Democratic governor, whose strict gun control measures have long infuriated gun owners, this week filed a bill to allow Sunday hunting and expand crossbow hunting, long overdue moves that aimed to shore up one of her biggest weaknesses in an election year.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The outrage was loud enough that, the following day, the Wizards released an apology.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
In Carlsbad, an 11-year-old Black girl was physically assaulted in an incident that sparked community outrage.—
Fabienne Perlov,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That deal enraged House Republicans, who refused to consider the Senate's compromise and instead opted to pass their own stopgap spending measure that would continue funding for all of DHS — including ICE and CBP — through May 22 and sending it back to the Senate.—
Justin Papp,Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2026
-
But every single thing that is enraging us about what’s going on at the federal level is also happening right here in Tarrant County.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But while both Horvath and Heilman backed the compromise struck with Bass, many residents and public transit advocates expressed fury at the amendment.—
National Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Intense fury over Jackson County property assessments.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Infiniti lets us in on Agnes’ mounting disillusionment in small doses hinting at pain and, possibly, rage (add Carrie to the underdeveloped influences).—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2026
-
There is hope in words that can reframe our perspectives, entertain and offer humor, or commiserate in our rage or grief.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ire. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
