ire
noun
intense anger; wrath.
ire
1 American
[ahyuhr]
/ aɪər /
noun
Ire.
2
American
abbreviation
Ire.
1
British
abbreviation
ire
2
British
/ aɪə /
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of ire
1250–1300; Middle English < Old French < Latin īra anger
Explanation
Ire is another word for "anger." So if you routinely steal your neighbor's newspaper, don't be surprised to be on the receiving end of his ire. Ire comes almost directly from the Latin word for anger, ira. While it means pretty much the same thing, ire usually stems from a specific grievance, rather than just general irritation with the world. And if you provoke someone's ire, you're probably going to feel their wrath. Shakespeare used both ire and anger in one famous sentence from his play "Pericles": "Yet cease your ire, you angry stars of heaven!"
Vocabulary lists containing ire
Words inspired by "Inside Out"
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Mad Infinitum: Synonyms for "Angry"
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This Week in Words: December 30, 2017 - January 5, 2018
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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:
Feinmann’s comments sparked such widespread ire that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum weighed in, calling his remarks “appalling.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
The NFIB’s ire is directed at the Corporate Transparency Act.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026
Their ire was directed at one man in particular: coach Hong Myung-bo, a former captain and footballing hero now faulted for his team's unimpressive run on the biggest sporting stage.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026
But that wasn’t the only reason locals sometimes directed their ire toward health workers.
From Slate ● Jun. 9, 2026
I just did my best not to provoke his ire.
From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad
He was a native of the county Tyrone, Ire., born July 25, 1802, and entered the Society of Jesus in 1837.
From Donahoe's Magazine, Volume XV, No. 3 Volume XV (Jan 1886-Jul 1886) by Various
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.
