OUTRAGE Synonyms: 228 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

outrage 1 of 2

noun

ˈau̇t-ˌrāj

Definition of outrage

as in insult

an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings the booing during the graduation speech was an outrage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in indignation

an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something the actress could barely contain her outrage at being passed over for an Oscar yet again

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

outrage

2 of 2

verb

as in to insult

to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in the spiteful comment outraged her so much that she's still holding a grudge

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to anger

to make angry the vandalism in the cemetery outraged the entire community we were outraged to discover that we had been overcharged for our hotel room

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

If some stranger did this to a child, there would be outrage. — Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 14 Oct. 2026 The movies weren’t consciously programmed side-by-side, but the platforming of each of them did not spark mass protests outside the venue or outrage that the perspective of one group was given equal footing with another. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026

Verb

Many students are outraged by a rape lawsuit but cowed by the university’s penalties for protesters. — Grey Battle, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026 Bucks fans outraged with sponsor choice Some Bucks fans were not happy with the organization partnering with Uline and within hours of the announcement voiced their frustrations with the decision. — Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outrage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outrage

Noun

Try to remember that your teen’s eyes were focused squarely on the $100 prize and so this is an issue of overlooking rather than one of insult.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Yet in a land where machismo still reigns, it’s considered a rather severe insult.

— Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of insult

Noun

Like its first season, season two of The Lowdown follows Ethan Hawke as Lee Raybon, a freelance journalist and bookstore owner in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with a nose for trouble and a hefty dose of quixotic, self-righteous moral indignation.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of indignation

Verb

No commercial goods have entered the Gaza Strip for two days, Israeli authorities said Thursday, blaming the suspension on merchants angered by taxes imposed by the militant group Hamas — a claim that Palestinian importers deny.

— Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
The dispute over the report, which tackled an issue close to Weiss, forced CBS News to delay promotion of the episode and angered Stahl, who felt compelled to defend her reporting at a late stage of production.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of anger

Noun

Platte County prosecutors have charged Brian David Martin with first-degree involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action in what appears to be a road-rage incident that ended in a fatal crash.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
The hackneyed ruminations on feminine style are punctured by an image of violent female rage.

— Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of rage

Verb

Trip isn’t the standout role, but Keery handles the character’s exasperated monologues with panache, turning self-defense and infuriated straight-talk into acts of exhilarating sanity.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of infuriate

Noun

Meanwhile, Amy’s parents, Birdie (Bailey) and Geoff (Jesson), navigate the indignities of getting older.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
The franchise has not earned their trust or patience, not after losing 100 games for the fourth straight season, an indignity last accomplished by the 1962-65 New York Mets.

— Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of indignity

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outracing

outrage

outraged

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“Outrage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outrage. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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