incensed
Americanadjective
verb
Etymology
Origin of incensed
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.
Vocabulary lists containing incensed
Mad Infinitum: Synonyms for "Angry"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Born a Crime
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Diary of a Young Girl
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
But officials in mediating countries said they were incensed by Tehran’s rejection of the Oman plan.
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
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
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
Mohammed’s letter incensed her; it insulted her reality.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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.
