INDIGNATIONS Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'indignation' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of indignation are anger , fury , ire , rage , and wrath . While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," indignation stresses righteous anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful. // a comment that caused general indignation

Q: When can 'anger' be used instead of 'indignation'?

The synonyms anger and indignation are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 'ire' be used to replace 'indignation'?

The words ire and indignation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ire , more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling. // cheeks flushed with ire

Q: How are the words 'rage' and 'fury' related as synonyms of 'indignation'?

Both rage and fury suggest loss of self-control from violence of emotion. // shook with rage // could not contain his fury

Q: When is it sensible to use 'wrath' instead of 'indignation'?

While the synonyms wrath and indignation 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

indignation

noun

ˌin-dig-ˈnā-shən

Definition of indignation

as in anger

an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something their indignation at the offensive television show led them to start a grassroots campaign for its cancellation

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How does the noun indignation differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of indignation are anger, fury, ire, rage, and wrath. While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," indignation stresses righteous anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful.

a comment that caused general indignation

When can anger be used instead of indignation?

The synonyms anger and indignation are sometimes interchangeable, but anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.

tried to hide his anger

When could ire be used to replace indignation?

The words ire and indignation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.

cheeks flushed with ire

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

Both rage and fury suggest loss of self-control from violence of emotion.

shook with rage

could not contain his fury

When is it sensible to use wrath instead of indignation?

While the synonyms wrath and indignation 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 indignation Advertisements extending beyond traditional commercial breaks to include live presenter endorsements and real-time odds promotions have sparked a fresh wave of indignation, with politicians across the political spectrum calling for tighter controls. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 The video went viral, encapsulating the prevalent mood of indignation about official nonaction. — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 He was deservedly sent off after a reckless foul on Pau Cubarsi, before grabbing the referee’s arm and tossing it to the side in indignation. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 28 June 2026 Zelenskyy returned the medal to Warsaw via standard mail, a gesture that caused significant indignation in Poland. — Lidia Kurasinska, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for indignation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for indignation

Noun

Wiley agreed to spend 15 days in jail and one year on probation, pay a $1,040 fine, take an anger management course and have no contact with the victim.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026
It eventually was dismissed, but Myers’ anger didn’t subside.

— Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of anger

Noun

After outrage in Hollywood, the studio reversed course and allowed director Dave Green to shop the project around.

— Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
However, the reaction on Capitol Hill — where Coupang has mounted an extensive lobbying effort — has not been universal outrage.

— Justin Papp, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of outrage

Noun

Despite Erasmus’s wrath, the Renaissance cut-and-pasters were on a roll—for a while.

— Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
There are a couple of shocking narrative twists at the end, with Alice potentially unleashing her wrath, and the revelation of Catherine’s role in Isabel’s death.

— Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of wrath

Noun

Even among the worldliest of us, an unexpected roundabout can trigger a fireworks-and-bald-eagles display of patriotic rage.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Pushing boundaries for new radiopharmaceuticals Radiopharmaceuticals are all the rage in some biotech circles, but some voices of caution are saying slow down.

— Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of rage

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“Indignation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indignation. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of indignation

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