outrage

American  

[out-reyj] / ˈaʊt reɪdʒ /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

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

Explanation

If you consider how people are treated in airports an outrage, you get really angry over airport security or the price of airport food. Six dollars for a piece of pizza? What an outrage! Something is an outrage when it is shocking and makes you angry. Stealing from an orphanage? That's an outrage. Sometimes outrage leads to action. Public outrage over the latest political scandal often makes the news.

Example Sentences

The reaction has been predictable: outrage and confusion.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

Borgli’s audacious, stark writing defies faux outrage, even if that performative indignation will be an inevitable product of a film so daring.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

It led to outrage from parents, and assembly members were recalled from their Easter break to discuss the issue on Tuesday.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

In a leaked phone conversation, Paetongtarn referred to former Cambodian leader Hun Sun as "uncle" and called a Thai military commander her "opponent", triggering public and political outrage.

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

“This is an outrage, Judge. I retract my bid on the grounds that I have been tricked, manipulated, and lied to. This man is a charlatan. He told me he worked for the government.”

From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool

Related Words

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