outrage

[out-reyj]

noun

1. an act of wanton cruelty or violence; any gross violation of law or decency.

2. anything that strongly offends, insults, or affronts the feelings.

   Synonyms: indignity, abuse, offense

3. a powerful feeling of resentment or anger aroused by something perceived as an injury, insult, or injustice.

   Outrage seized the entire nation at the news of the attempted assassination.

verb (used with object)

outraged, outraging 

1. to subject to grievous violence or indignity.

2. to anger or offend; make resentful; shock.

   I am outraged by his whole attitude.

3. to offend against (right, decency, feelings, etc.) grossly or shamelessly.

   Such conduct outrages our normal sense of decency.

4. to rape.

   Synonyms: violate

outrage

/ ˈaʊtˌreɪdʒ /

noun

1. a wantonly vicious or cruel act

2. a gross violation of decency, morality, honour, etc

3. profound indignation, anger, or hurt, caused by such an act

verb

1. to cause profound indignation, anger, or resentment in

2. to offend grossly (feelings, decency, human dignity, etc)

3. to commit an act of wanton viciousness, cruelty, or indecency on

4. a euphemistic word for rape 1

Other Word Forms

• unoutraged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of outrage¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Old French outrage, ultrage, equivalent to outr ( er ) to push beyond bounds (derivative of outre beyond < Latin ultrā ) + -age -age

Word History and Origins

Origin of outrage¹

C13 (meaning: excess): via French from outré beyond, from Latin ultrā

Example Sentences

“I accidentally captured some widespread feeling of outrage, exhaustion, annoyance, discontent, hysteria, mania, worry, and the desire for candy,” she writes, explaining why the next day she was making media appearances about it.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Macron reinstated Lecornu late Friday, just four days after the premier resigned and his first government collapsed, triggering outrage and vows from opponents to topple any new cabinet at the first chance.

Read more on Barron's

A heavily tattooed man, who said he was driving past when Maria was taken into custody, expressed outrage at the operation, noting she had been serving food to the community for years.

Read more on Barron's

Critics, including far-right activist Laura Loomer, falsely claimed that the Pentagon is granting Qatar a military base on American soil, fueling social media outrage.

Read more on Salon

The reappointment provoked outrage across the political spectrum and pledges to vote it down at the first chance.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• aggrieve 
• incense 
• infuriate 
• insult 
• scandalize 
• shock