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View synonyms for anger

anger

[ ang-ger ]

noun

  1. a strong feeling of displeasure and belligerence aroused by a wrong; wrath; ire.

    Synonyms: spleen, bile, choler, exasperation, resentment

  2. Chiefly British Dialect. pain or smart, as of a sore.
  3. Obsolete. grief; trouble.


verb (used with object)

  1. to arouse anger or wrath in.

    Synonyms: madden, incense, enrage, infuriate, exasperate, irritate, vex, displease

  2. Chiefly British Dialect. to cause to smart; inflame.

verb (used without object)

  1. to become angry:

    He angers with little provocation.

anger

/ ˈæŋɡə /

noun

  1. a feeling of great annoyance or antagonism as the result of some real or supposed grievance; rage; wrath
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. tr to make angry; enrage
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Words From

  • anger·less adjective
  • un·angered adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of anger1

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English, from Scandinavian; compare Old Norse angr “sorrow, grief,” akin to Old High German angust ( German Angst “fear”), Latin angor “anguish”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of anger1

C12: from Old Norse angr grief; related to Old English enge, Old High German engi narrow, Latin angere to strangle
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Idioms and Phrases

see more in sorrow than in anger .
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Synonym Study

Anger, fury, indignation, rage imply deep and strong feelings aroused by injury, injustice, wrong, etc. Anger is the general term for a sudden violent displeasure: a burst of anger. Indignation implies deep and justified anger: indignation at cruelty or against corruption. Rage is vehement anger: rage at being frustrated. Fury is rage so great that it resembles insanity: the fury of an outraged lover.
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Example Sentences

Instead, the two sides struck another deal, angering families who had hoped to see the company brought to trial.

From BBC

Many Ivorians were angered by a foreigner winning with their national dish.

From BBC

But very few of us are in position to be pardoned by our dad — a big reason for the anger.

From Salon

The Trumpist anger isn't over "false" accusations — it's anger that women have any right to make accusations, regardless of the truth.

From Salon

A freeze was welcome news for homeowners, but it angered councils desperately short of cash.

From BBC

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More About Anger

What does anger mean?

Anger is a human emotion that involves intense displeasure and aggression as a response to an aggravating event, as in My mother was filled with anger after she found out that I had snuck out to the party.

The word anger is also used to mean to make someone feel anger or to begin to feel anger oneself, as in That grouchy old man next door angers easily. Anger also refers to making someone else feel anger, as in The disrespect shown by the new recruit angered the drill instructor.

Anger is a strong human emotion, and you’ve likely experienced anger in your own life. If you have ever felt your heart pumping strongly and wanted to scream or punch a wall, you’ve felt anger. You might feel anger when someone insults you, takes something from you, hurts one of your loved ones, or does something that you really don’t like. Feeling anger is completely normal, although how you respond to anger can make a big difference.

Angry is used to describe feeling anger, as in I try to avoid angry dogs.

Example: The silly jester was an expert at calming the king’s anger.

Where does anger come from?

The first records of anger come from around 1150. It ultimately comes from the Old Norse word angr, meaning “grief or sorrow.” It is related to the Old English enge, which comes from the Latin verb angere, meaning “to strangle.”

While anger may cause you to want to strangle someone, most people are able to control their anger in other, healthy ways. Usually, experts recommend that you try to calm yourself or to channel your anger into something productive, like journaling or taking a walk. Sometimes, a person just needs to release their anger by shouting, cursing, or punching a pillow. It is almost always a bad idea to suppress, that is holding in and ignoring, your anger because doing so can lead to anxiety, stress, or violent outbursts.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to anger?

  • angerless (adjective)
  • unangered (adjective)

What are some synonyms for anger?

What are some words that share a root or word element with anger

What are some words that often get used in discussing anger?

How is anger used in real life?

Anger is a common word used to describe a common emotion. Social media often causes people to feel anger.

Try using anger!

Is anger used correctly in the following sentence?

The protesters yelled about the law that caused their anger.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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