ANGER Synonyms: 143 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

anger 1 of 2

noun

ˈaŋ-gər

Definition of anger

as in rage

an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something managed to stifle his anger when the receptionist put him on hold for the third time

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anger

2 of 2

verb

as in to infuriate

to make angry it's virtually impossible to anger Mrs. Peterson—she's the most easygoing person I've ever known

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

The grieving grandmother expressed deep devastation and anger over the sudden, violent loss of her grandson. — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 The protests reflect anger over water shortages and rising costs. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Verb

Spain is hard-hit due to small rental market The housing crunch has been simmering for years in Spain, eating into household budgets and angering voters. — Joseph Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026 The housing crunch has been simmering for years in Spain, eating into household budgets and angering voters. — ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for anger

Recent Examples of Synonyms for anger

Noun

Along with his signature rapid-fire, garrulous dialogue, Sorkin’s tendency for self-righteous indignation is very much in evidence.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
But a new wave of indignation swept Spain when Abascal, who uses a wheelchair, was carried on a stretcher from her apartment after police cordoned off the street.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of indignation

Verb

Cummings said that in January 2021, a friend of Birchmore’s called Stoughton police and told a dispatcher about the illicit relationship, infuriating Farwell.

— Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2026
His laserlike focus on the particulars of the story doesn’t leave much room for extrapolation; even the infuriating case of bureaucratic overreach that the film depicts can easily be understood, and perhaps even defended, as an aberration.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of infuriate

Noun

The details of the allegations, which disclosed how fraternity members used a Snapchat group chat to discuss the woman and events at the party with openly crude language, sparked fury across the nation.

— Elissa Nadworny, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026
But the North previously reacted with fury to major defections of its citizens, accusing South Korea of kidnapping them.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of fury

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angels

anger

angered

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“Anger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anger. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of anger

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verb

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