outrage
[out-reyj]
- an act of wanton cruelty or violence; any gross violation of law or decency.
- anything that strongly offends, insults, or affronts the feelings.
- 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.
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- to subject to grievous violence or indignity.
- to anger or offend; make resentful; shock: I am outraged by his whole attitude.
- to offend against (right, decency, feelings, etc.) grossly or shamelessly: Such conduct outrages our normal sense of decency.
- to rape.
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Origin of outrage
1250–1300; Middle English < Old French outrage, ultrage, equivalent to outr(er) to push beyond bounds (derivative of outre beyond < Latin ultrā) + -age -age
Synonyms
See more synonyms for outrage on Thesaurus.com2. offense, abuse, indignity. 7. violate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for outrage
Contemporary Examples
Michelle Obama tweeting a hashtag is somehow cause for outrage.
From righteous fury to faux indignation, everything we got mad about in 2014—and how outrage has taken over our lives.
It is likely the case that attention and outrage from overseas saved her from this fate.
Where is the outrage of Sharpton regarding the death of Zemir Begic?
Perhaps my outrage at the men defending Cosby springs from my own feelings of guilt.
Historical Examples
As Lizzie put it, Sarah's appearance was an outrage on her contemporaries.
Life and Death of Harriett FreanMay Sinclair
Burke was fairly gasping over this outrage against his authority.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
Take them off instantly, and tell me what you mean by this outrage.
The outrage on the Warden was not so grotesque, but the effect was the same.
The UnderdogF. Hopkinson Smith
"It would have been an outrage, sir, if he had won it," broke in a stranger.
The UnderdogF. Hopkinson Smith
outrage
- a wantonly vicious or cruel act
- a gross violation of decency, morality, honour, etc
- profound indignation, anger, or hurt, caused by such an act
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- to cause profound indignation, anger, or resentment in
- to offend grossly (feelings, decency, human dignity, etc)
- to commit an act of wanton viciousness, cruelty, or indecency on
- a euphemistic word for rape 1
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Word Origin
C13 (meaning: excess): via French from outré beyond, from Latin ultrā
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for outrage
n.
c.1300, "evil deed, offense, crime; affront, indignity," from Old French outrage "harm, damage; insult; criminal behavior; presumption, insolence, overweening" (12c.), earlier oltrage (11c.), from Vulgar Latin *ultraticum "excess," from Latin ultra "beyond" (see ultra-). Etymologically, "the passing beyond reasonable bounds" in any sense; meaning narrowed in English toward violent excesses because of folk etymology from out + rage. Of injuries to feelings, principles, etc., from 1769.
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v.
c.1300, "to go to excess, act immoderately," from outrage (n.). From 1580s with meaning "do violence to." Related: Outraged; outraging.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper