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rage

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun rage differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rage are anger, fury, indignation, ire, and wrath. While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," rage and fury suggest loss of self-control from violence of emotion.

shook with rage
could not contain his fury

Where would anger be a reasonable alternative to rage?

The words anger and rage can be used in similar contexts, but anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.

tried to hide his anger

When can indignation be used instead of rage?

While in some cases nearly identical to rage, 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 rage?

While the synonyms ire and rage are close in meaning, ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.

cheeks flushed with ire

When is it sensible to use wrath instead of rage?

The synonyms wrath and rage are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 rage
Noun
So, Joe comes in with a lot of hostility, a lot of anger, a lot of rage for what happened. Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2025 Beneath consciousness, each of us has an emotional reservoir that holds the extent of our grief, rage, terror, despair and shame. Jessica Dulong, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
Against the backdrop of films and books, a battle for the fate of the Titanic is raging. Sean Kingsley, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2025 Ava may have won the battle, but her war with Deborah rages on. Nick Caruso, TVLine, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rage
Noun
  • The patrons went into a frenzy as McIlroy dropped to his knees and started crying, as the dream and goal finally turned into reality.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • About an hour earlier, Charli XCX had sent the crowd into an all-out frenzy with a set that included surprise appearances from Lorde, Billie Eilish, and Troye Sivan.
    Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Damn, again, my woulda, shoulda anger steams beneath a somewhat placid exterior.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Aggression For some individuals, the turmoil following a breakup can give rise to an inexplicable burst of anger.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Connecticut bat-makers weigh in on baseball's new craze, the torpedo; UConn hockey's rise, women's March Madness timing.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, share children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, and their daughter seemingly launched a friendship bracelet craze within the family over the summer.
    Janine Henni, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Sounding the Alarm for Elder Justice The population of older adults is rapidly growing, and one in 10 experience abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation—a risk that is even higher for those living with dementia.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Losing Track of Time or Place People with dementia often become disoriented about time, dates, or locations.
    Brigid Dwyer, Verywell Health, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Such is the case with this 15-minute fictionalized short inspired by the traumatic aftermath of a real event — when a group of Proud Boys in 2022 stormed a Drag Queen Story Hour program at the East Bay’s San Lorenzo Library and proceeded to hurl gay and transphobic slurs there.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Soon after Noboa took office in 2023, the country suffered back-to-back emergencies: a notorious gang leader escaped from prison; days later, a band of gunmen stormed a major TV station and took the staff hostage.
    Max Saltman, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Choose options that are baked, grilled, steamed, or roasted.
    Lindsey DeSoto, RD, LD, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Dumplings and Kebabs: Chicken Momo: steamed chicken dumplings with spicy chili sauce topped with onions and peppers.
    Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • By The New York Times In the chaos, thousands of other gunmen arrived with a different agenda — targeting Alawites in a rampage of sectarian killings.
    Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • How sheriff deputy’s son carried out deadly rampage 3.
    FOXNews.com, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Smithsonian, the vast complex of museums that millions of Americans visit every year to see Lincoln’s top hat, the Spirit of St. Louis, Harriet Tubman’s shawl, a moon rock, and Dorothy’s ruby slippers, is at the center of the executive order’s indignation.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
  • In a moment of feigned indignation, Sandler threatened to storm out of the ceremony, which prompted O'Brien to apologize for his attack.
    Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rage. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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