anger 1 of 2

anger

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun anger differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of anger are fury, indignation, ire, rage, and wrath. While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.

tried to hide his anger

When could indignation be used to replace anger?

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

a comment that caused general indignation

In what contexts can ire take the place of anger?

The meanings of ire and anger largely overlap; however, ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.

cheeks flushed with ire

How do rage and fury relate to one another, in the sense of anger?

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 anger?

While the synonyms wrath and anger 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 anger
Noun
Struggling to fit in, Li meets and befriends classmate Mia (Sadie Stanley), which angers Mia’s aggressive karate-champ ex, Conor (Aramis Knight). Brian Truitt, USA Today, 29 May 2025 The anger this move unleashed focuses primarily on the way it was handled rather than Microsoft’s right to make changes. David Hessekiel, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Verb
Target’s retreat created another backlash, with more customers angered by the retailer’s reduction of LGBTQ+-themed merchandise for Pride Month in June of 2023. Anne D'innocenzio, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025 The move angered Apple and kicked off a years-long legal battle. Kif Leswing, CNBC, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for anger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anger
Noun
  • As the film progresses, this wide-eyed curiosity shifts to righteous indignation, but these reactions are muddled by her feelings for Basem.
    Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2025
  • But there’s vulnerability buried in that sort of indignation.
    Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • The Democrats’ response to the frenzy of executive actions has infuriated the party’s liberal base, which loudly accused Democratic leaders of failing to push back against an aggressive White House in ways that meet the urgency of the moment.
    Mike Lillis, The Hill, 1 June 2025
  • Navigating through these help desk mazes can be infuriating and time consuming.
    Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • In addition, a customer usually won’t know how much of the code was written using AI, so there won’t be any public outrage, as is the case with self-driving cars.
    Victor Erukhimov, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • The killing ignited international outrage and massive protests during a pandemic that had already rocked the nation.
    Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Market volatility has enraged Democrats and worried many Republicans as the country experiences whiplash from tariff announcements, leaving many people worried about their finances.
    Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2025
  • Summer schedules since have been filled with other shows like Big Brother, Love Island USA, and various iterations of The Bachelor franchise keeping viewers entertained and/or enraged ever since.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • For Karen’s author, such rage was a real departure.
    Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 3 June 2025
  • Conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza rage on, the U.S. national debt grows, and President Donald Trump’s trade policies continue to jolt adversaries and allies alike.
    Hugh Son, CNBC, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Orlando Sentinel Residents also allege the neighbor erected phallic objects on a fence at his home to annoy them.
    Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2025
  • Cahill also spoke about how the political nature of the case annoyed him, as politicians spoke out about Floyd's death, and some called for system-wide change.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 25 May 2025
Noun
  • But director Tony Scott makes the most of the racing sequences, up-close bursts of speed and fury that put you right in the thick of the action.
    James Mercadante, EW.com, 20 May 2025
  • Combs allegedly unleashed his fury on Morgan at Ventura's Hollywood Hills home in 2018.
    Elizabeth Rosner, People.com, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • Does that mean the nine California Republicans, all of whom voted last month for the tax and spending bill, could face his political wrath?
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025
  • More to Read Voices Contributor: Once, international students feared Beijing’s wrath.
    Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Anger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anger. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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