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ire

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun ire differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ire are anger, fury, indignation, rage, and wrath. While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.

cheeks flushed with ire

In what contexts can anger take the place of ire?

While the synonyms anger and ire are close in meaning, anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.

tried to hide his anger

When is it sensible to use indignation instead of ire?

In some situations, the words indignation and ire are roughly equivalent. However, indignation stresses righteous anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful.

a comment that caused general indignation

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

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 ire?

While in some cases nearly identical to ire, 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 ire
Noun
Although widely credited with launching Bieber’s career as a teen phenom (with the backing of Usher), Braun’s Svengali-like guidance drew some ire from the general public, and even more so in recent years as struggles unique to child stars have been exposed in the media. Shirley Halperin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2025 The show has often been considered to be mocking conservatives, MAGA and people on the right, in sketches that poke fun at President Donald Trump and his supporters, which has long drawn the ire of these groups online. Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025 However, Chisholm pinned the blame squarely on Garcia, who had drawn the ire of Yankees fans for his comments about New York in the series. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Apr. 2025 In a vote on Thursday, the House of Representatives passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a bill Republicans have celebrated but that has drawn the ire of voting rights groups and most congressional Democrats. John Parkinson, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ire
Noun
  • The Smithsonian, the vast complex of museums that millions of Americans visit every year to see Lincoln’s top hat, the Spirit of St. Louis, Harriet Tubman’s shawl, a moon rock, and Dorothy’s ruby slippers, is at the center of the executive order’s indignation.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
  • In a moment of feigned indignation, Sandler threatened to storm out of the ceremony, which prompted O'Brien to apologize for his attack.
    Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Trump's actions angered Canadians and stoked a surge in nationalism, helping the Liberals to flip the narrative and win a fourth straight term in power.
    Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Along with safety, downtown residents say green space has been one of the top concerns of the almost 100,000 people who live there, so the attack on some of the area’s few trees particularly angered people.
    Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Columbia University was among the first colleges to face the wrath of Donald Trump, whose administration canceled $400 million of funding and arrested two student protesters.
    Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • This isn’t the first time Khan has faced the wrath of India’s Hindu right.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The effort has infuriated critics in a city that has pioneered harm reduction.
    Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Season 5 had it all: romances, redemption arcs, infuriating men, explosive fights, and two of the show’s biggest stars, Molly-Mae Hague and Maura Higgins.
    Lindsey Lanquist, StyleCaster, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • My colleagues are stumped as to the real reason why, as am I. This has been a hot topic in my field, and the outpouring of outrage and kindness has been overwhelming.
    R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • My colleagues are stumped as to the real reason why, as am I. This has been a hot topic in my field and the outpouring of outrage and kindness has been overwhelming.
    R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Warren was beloved by the Cherry Grove community — by then, the Pines’s more bohemian counterpart — and her rejection enraged many, including Thom Hansen, who performed in drag as Panzi.
    Elyssa Goodman, Them., 25 Apr. 2025
  • In the TikTok video that enraged so many of these men, the gimmick is that the executives are participating in a girly TikTok trend within the confines of their office.
    Constance Grady, Vox, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Trump’s supporters responded to the ruling with fury, with some calling for the administration to ignore the emergency decision.
    Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Some supporters of President Donald Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement have reacted with fury after Karmelo Anthony, who is accused of murdering fellow high school student Austin Metcalf, was able to bond out after a judge on Monday reduced his bond from $1 million to $250,000.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Prosecutors allege that Read, 45, deliberately hit O’Keefe with her SUV in a drunken rage and left him to die in the snow in January 2022.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • If Episode 2 was the depiction of fire and uncontrollable rage — with Tommy flaming down an unrelenting monster known as a bloater, and Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) torturing and killing Joel — Episode 3 is the opposite.
    Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ire. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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