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 Both our indignation when the wicked flourish and our sorrow when the righteous suffer have their source in this assumption. — Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026 Cancer Rising September begins with you very much waking up on the wrong side of the bed, but your indignation might just be the thing that saves you in the end. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026 On cue, China expressed indignation about anti-missile deployments. — Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026 Mind you, Miss Manners agrees with your indignation at this fraudulent maneuver. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for indignation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for indignation

Noun

We are connected across continents in milliseconds, but too often separated by fear, anger, and mistrust.

— Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
For property owners who poured their life savings into Camelot, the arrival of heavy machinery brings mounting anger over how local authorities handled the complex's long, troubled decline.

— La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of anger

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

Noun

Djrum is the rare DJ who operates almost entirely outside the world of genre; his sets swing from breakcore to IDM, jungle to techno, garage to field recordings to—well—whatever, really, depending on mood.

— Ben Cardew, Pitchfork, 17 Oct. 2026
Obviously, the mood has shifted around this college town thanks to the Hoosiers winning last year's CFP title, along with having a head coach in Curt Cignetti who has turned this program into a football juggernaut in just two years.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of mood

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“Indignation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indignation. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of indignation

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