incensed

American  

[in-senst] / ɪnˈsɛnst /

adjective

1. inflamed with anger; enraged.

   "I will not tolerate discrimination of any kind within my administration!" said the incensed mayor, filled with righteous indignation.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of incense.

Etymology

Origin of incensed

incense ² ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Explanation

To be incensed is to be beyond mad. It's how you feel when fighting with your cell phone company's customer service representative whose only response is to quote company policy verbatim from a script. The Latin root of the word incense is incendere, meaning "to set on fire." Yes, it's the same root for the incense sticks burned in dorm rooms and churches. For this use, however, think instead about burning tempers instead of burning sticks.

Example Sentences

There was a catch: The doctor in question had no idea that funds were being solicited or contributed in her name — and she was incensed.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 2, 2026

He had revered the British Museum since he was a teenager and was incensed by the idea that a theft was continuing and that it was being perpetrated by a curator.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

He was put out of his home days earlier but now he's back and they're incensed and at his door.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026

Not for the first time this season a Premier League manager was left incensed by a red card for hair pulling.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Rush was incensed at what he viewed as flawed medical logic and professional jealousy—and promptly resigned from the College of Physicians.

From "An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793" by Jim Murphy

Related Words

• dogged
• enraged
• exasperated
• indignant
• infuriated
• irate
• miffed