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

See Examples For:

incensed

Officials in mediating countries said Iran’s rejection incensed them.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

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 and the government find themselves caught between an increasingly incensed public and a justice system whose magistrates and prosecutors refuse to be made scapegoats.

From BBC ● Jun. 9, 2026

Sanchez was particularly incensed when an 11-acre plot in the city’s Manton neighborhood, on a largely residential street, became a single-story self-storage facility with long rows of garage doors.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 15, 2026

He was incensed by the idea of my mom being in contact with her previous love, and she decided it was safer for everyone involved not to test his anger.

From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah

Related Words

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