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

verb

1. (tr) to make angry; enrage

Other Word Forms

• angerless adjective
• unangered adjective

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”

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

Idioms and Phrases

see more in sorrow than in anger.

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.

Example Sentences

The female DDO later told the undercover reporter about her anger at the sergeant's response.

From BBC

But there was no anger or terror in his voice when I asked him recently how la migra treated him whenever they’d catch him.

From Los Angeles Times

I felt sadness many times in the care home but that totally avoidable loss of dignity was the first time I felt anger.

From BBC

Groups of young people, mainly under 30 years of age, were joined by bus and taxi drivers and marched towards Congress to express their anger over corruption scandals and growing insecurity.

From BBC

Since then, Fico has angered European allies by meeting Russia's Vladimir Putin four times in less than 12 months.

From BBC

Related Words

• acrimony 
• animosity 
• annoyance 
• antagonism 
• displeasure 
• enmity 
• exasperation 
• fury 
• hatred 
• impatience 
• indignation 
• ire 
• irritation 
• outrage 
• passion 
• rage 
• resentment 
• temper 
• violence 

When To Use

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.