ire 1 of 2

Definition of irenext

ire

2 of 2

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
After the choice of Bad Bunny as headliner drew ire from some conservative commentators, Turning Point USA, a right-wing organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, stepped in with alternative programming. Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026 Populist ire at corporate power is rising. Carter Dougherty, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
Combs was cleared of the other charges (related to racketeering and human trafficking) and otherwise faces ire online and in the press today. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2025 Yamanaka’s writing had met with acclaim and ire from the start. Literary Hub, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ire
Noun
  • The Editorial Board should save its righteous indignation for some other topic.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Many of the musicians and audience members belonged to a generation that’s often stereotyped as languishing in apathy and isolation—but whose indignation about the suffering in Gaza has far outpaced that of other generations.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • But every time Trump takes to social media, angered by drug trafficking – or drone incursions, Sheinbaum Pardo has deftly reminded him of their working partnership, Jacobson said.
    Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
  • In one of those realities (the actual one most of us are living in), a growing number of people across the political spectrum are angered, terrified and disgusted by actions being taken in their names by people and agencies which seem to have little or no accountability.
    Brenda Looper, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • So up and over went Adebayo, and straight down upon Ware came Adebayo’s dunking wrath.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Instead, his minions, so afraid of earning his wrath, have remained quiet.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • No one exemplifies that, and infuriates Twins fans more, than Ortiz.
    Brian Hall, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Seeing Sparkle cry about Landfair’s experience — something that Landfair hadn’t fully come to terms with — was discombobulating and infuriating.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • This conduct stoked public outrage, triggered backlash from local officials and prompted judges to intervene.
    Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026
  • On the contrary, they were largely fuelled by moral outrage at the needless suffering religion caused.
    Christopher Beha, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Hulu This startling three-part docuseries tells the unfortunate, enraging story of Larry Ray.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
  • This is exactly the kind of mainstream Christian view that enrages Allie Beth Stuckey.
    Hillary Rodham Clinton, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The present is 60 minutes of fury on the grass in Santa Clara.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
  • On the left, that dislike has metastasized into an all-out fury, which is manifesting itself in all kinds of intolerable ways.
    Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Marinho and other partygoers waved white ribbons and sang a song in a tribute to Orelha, a dog that was killed in southern Brazil in January in a case that caused national rage.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Those skipping romance this season can name an ex after a pile of animal feces, shred old photos for dining deals or smash their way through staged date nights in rage rooms.
    Julian Torres, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ire. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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