anger
Americannoun
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anger
plural
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a strong feeling of displeasure and belligerence aroused by a wrong; wrath; ire.
- Synonyms:
- spleen, bile, choler, exasperation, resentment
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Chiefly British Dialect. pain or smart, as of a sore.
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Obsolete. grief; trouble.
verb (used with object)
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angers,
present (3rd person singular)
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angered,
past participle, past
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angering
present participle
verb (used without object)
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angers,
present (3rd person singular)
-
angered,
past participle, past
-
angering
present participle
noun
verb
Usage
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.
Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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angersimple
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angerssimple
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have angeredperfect
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has angeredperfect
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am angeringprogressive
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are angeringprogressive
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is angeringprogressive
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have been angeringperfect progressive
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has been angeringperfect progressive
Past
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angeredsimple
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had angeredperfect
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was angeringprogressive
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were angeringprogressive
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had been angeringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of anger
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”
Explanation
If you’re mad about something and you’re not going to take it anymore, you’re feeling anger, a strong emotion you experience when you think someone has done you wrong. If you want to scream and kick, you’re feeling anger. Anger is a powerful emotion that people feel from time to time when someone or something frustrates or annoys them. One of the roots of anger is the Greek word ankhone for "a strangling," which is a perfect description of the way anger actually feels. Indeed, anger can make you feel like strangling someone. Don’t do it! If you’re feeling a lot of anger, it’s good to take a nice, deep breath.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
What began as a protest by high-school students seeking better schools has morphed into a widespread and sometimes violent expression of anger against the French establishment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026
Given the tragic circumstances that brought him to Peter, you wait for the moment when grief and anger bubble up.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026
With the European Union's second-largest economy on the brink of recession and under pressure to reduce its debt, authorities have little room to quell student anger with additional spending.
From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026
But here in Michigan, the initial anger gave way to embarrassment and bafflement on Stevens’ behalf.
From Slate ● Nov. 3, 2026
However, the feeling he was picking up from her was not anger with him but at the world in general.
From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville
The wrinkle that angers buyers is that by event time, comparable replacement tickets on StubHub can cost significantly more than the customer originally paid.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026
It is a decision which still angers Liverpool fans.
From BBC ● Jan. 19, 2026
His videos and speeches speak directly to young adults, and that’s what angers Amanda the most.
From Salon ● Jun. 13, 2025
Sherrilyn Ifill: It angers me, obviously, but I also often get a chuckle out of it.
From Slate ● Jan. 6, 2025
And with all these angers there was an added agony when hopes for an end to the war were crushed as the year progressed.
From "Across Five Aprils" by Irene Hunt
The proposed changes, which are expected to pass easily, come after weeks of air pollution from fires in neighbouring Indonesia angered Singaporeans and sparked calls for action.
From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026
But he believed the scandal, and how it has angered voters, could actually work in his favor.
From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026
Those comments and PG&E’s letter have angered consumer advocates, wildfire survivors and some lawmakers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026
Former executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward angered supporters in 2018 when he said: "Playing performance doesn't really have a meaningful impact on what we can do on the commercial side of the business."
From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026
“We may have angered the nymphs who live in this lake. Like...all of them.”
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
His comments thrust Harp further into the spotlight, setting the internet alight -- and angering the White House.
From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026
Newsom also wants to reduce payments that fire victims can receive for non-economic damages including pain and suffering, angering victims of the Eaton fire.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
Its notice was later withdrawn after angering US politicians, who were concerned it would affect their own citizen's data.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
Every time the narrative comes close to truly condemning children’s access to devices, the movie pulls back in fear of isolating or angering the audience.
From Salon ● Jun. 21, 2026
“For someone so superstitious, you risk angering the gods by not attending. I imagine that an assassin would take more interest in the day of the dead.”
From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
