outrage 1 of 2

Definition of outragenext
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outrage

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word outrage distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of outrage are affront, insult, and offend. While all these words mean "to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment," outrage implies offending beyond endurance and calling forth extreme feelings.

outraged by their accusations

When can affront be used instead of outrage?

While in some cases nearly identical to outrage, affront implies treating with deliberate rudeness or contemptuous indifference to courtesy.

deeply affronted by his callousness

In what contexts can insult take the place of outrage?

The words insult and outrage can be used in similar contexts, but insult suggests deliberately causing humiliation, hurt pride, or shame.

insulted every guest at the party

When is offend a more appropriate choice than outrage?

In some situations, the words offend and outrage are roughly equivalent. However, offend need not imply an intentional hurting but it may indicate merely a violation of the victim's sense of what is proper or fitting.

hoped that my remarks had not offended her

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 outrage
Noun
Harrison treated it as karmic vindication for trading Luka Doncic a few months earlier, for enduring the outrage from the Dallas community and the criticism from media, rival front offices and fans nationally. Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026 The image ricocheted across the country, igniting outrage from lawmakers and the public. Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
The new monument outraged Utah politicians and residents who supported mining and other development on the public lands. Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 2 Feb. 2026 Those characterizations outraged his family and Democratic politicians, who pointed to bystander videos showing Pretti helping a woman who had been pushed by an ICE agent and holding only his camera. Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outrage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outrage
Noun
  • The final insult from State Farm came just hours after Karen Powers died, early on the morning of August 2, 2023.
    J.C. Hallman, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026
  • In an appearance on Fox News, the Trump-supporting singer bashed the choice of Bunny, saying the performance was an insult to the MAGA movement.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
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
  • Northern publishers expurgated literary texts for fear of offending slaveholders; antislavery publications were barred from being mailed in the South.
    Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Perpetually offended, safe spaces, censoring free speech, culture of victimhood.
    Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • However, Albanese’s decision to invite Herzog – the head of state of a country accused of genocide in Gaza, a claim Israel’s government denies – has angered many Australians and even led to calls for the visitor’s arrest.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
  • What’s more, all that accomplishes is annoying and angering the driver who is being tailgated.
    Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile, sitcoms like Friends marked a movement toward irony in comedy with its trademark tongue-in-cheek banter and sarcasm, Thompson explains.
    Liz Regalia, Parents, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Eby quipped with her usual dry sarcasm.
    Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • This oscillation between rage at one’s own powerlessness and fantasies of violence is the song’s motive force.
    Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Listen, people want the rage bait.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 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
  • Reports of stumbling, slipping on the ice or just the indignity of having to yield to a robot were among common complaints submitted, Robertson said.
    Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
  • This time around, aside from warding off mental demons that arose from her crash, Shiffrin, at 30, must also fight the indignities of age.
    Sean Gregory, Time, 29 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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