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 next

as in indignation

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

anger

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Barring November’s aberration in Bruges — where Emery immediately made his anger known to players — Villa followed the theme of consistency which has led them to this point and, conceivably, the biggest night of their season. —

Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025 The pardons were a remarkable coda to Mr. Biden’s 50-year political career, underscoring the mistrust and anger that the president feels about Mr. Trump, the man who preceded and will succeed him in office. —

Michael D. Shear, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025

Verb

When the fires broke out, Ms. Bass was visiting Ghana as part of a delegation for the inauguration of the country’s new president, a fact that has angered some of her constituents. —

Santul Nerkar, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025 Last month, the veteran economist suggested at an event that the country's GDP figures could be overstated by several percentage points, angering China's president, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. —

Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for anger

Recent Examples of Synonyms for anger

Noun

Not only was Allen a known conservative, but his series spoke to the same sense of righteous indignation felt by the MAGA clan.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Jan. 2025
This seemingly small, personal decision triggers absolute indignation in her husband, parents, and siblings.

— Ilana Masad, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025