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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

The project has sparked outrage because of the location's pristine nature and unique habitat that would be irreversibly devastated, according to environmentalists. — ABC News, 28 June 2026 In some videos, survivors accused soldiers of looting apartments and confiscating donated supplies—claims that remain difficult to independently verify but have fueled widespread outrage. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 29 June 2026

Verb

Its realignment outraged Russia and put a target on its back as one of the West’s easternmost bulwarks against Moscow’s sphere of influence. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2026 Those leaders should be outraged, not celebrating the memorandum of understanding (MOU). — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for outrage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outrage

Noun

According to Spell and members of his congregation, the man had a history of verbally harassing them with threats, insults and racial slurs.

— Drew Pittock, USA Today, 25 June 2026
Michael Lind, the writer and New America co-founder, argues in Commonplace, the magazine of Oren Cass’s American Compass, that a decent wage and a safety net should be enough, and that handing workers a stake in capital insults the dignity of their labor.

— Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Definition of insult

Noun

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

Definition of indignation

Verb

The pro‑government newspaper Sabah said dozens of viewers were offended by jokes on religion and filed complaints, prompting the investigation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
The street preacher asks if someone could be cited if a transgender person is offended if they are misgendered by another person.

— Emily Holshouser July 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026

Definition of offend

Noun

He’s been known to blow up legislation, make surprise nominations, rage-post about sitting Republican lawmakers and retaliate by endorsing their primary opponents.

— Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Maybe that's why, in a moment when the country feels eggshell brittle, riding has become such an essential outlet for me—a way to turn my rage into forward motion.

— Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026

Definition of rage

Verb

They’re infuriated with a military that turned out to repress civilian protests in recent years, but appeared slow to mobilize in support of earthquake victims this week.

— Tibisay Zea, Christian Science Monitor, 3 July 2026
The result can be a more consistent connection, fewer interruptions and less of that infuriating mid-episode quality drop.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of infuriate

Noun

Ream’s grown accustomed to such indignities, especially from Richards, the Crystal Palace standout who squared off with Ream in the English Premier League when Ream played for Fulham.

— Sean Gregory, Time, 1 July 2026
Though the indignity ran deep, our ancestors refused to bow.

— John E. Jackson Sr, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of outrage

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