outrage

[out-reyj]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR outrage ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

verb (used with object), out·raged, out·rag·ing.

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.

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

Related formsun·out·raged, adjective

Synonyms for outrage

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR outrage ON THESAURUS.COM

2. offense, abuse, indignity. 7. violate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for outrage

shock, violence, fury, indignation, resentment, scandalize, infuriate, incense, insult, aggrieve, harm, violation, offense, enormity, ruin, damage, profanation, rape, wrongdoing, injury

Examples from the Web for outrage

Contemporary Examples of outrage

Michelle Obama tweeting a hashtag is somehow cause for outrage.
Political Memes That Absolutely Must Die in 2015
Asawin Suebsaeng
January 1, 2015
From righteous fury to faux indignation, everything we got mad about in 2014—and how outrage has taken over our lives.
The Daily Beast’s Best Longreads, Dec 15-21, 2014
William Boot
December 21, 2014
It is likely the case that attention and outrage from overseas saved her from this fate.
The Straight Hero of Cameroon’s Gays
Jay Michaelson
December 10, 2014
Where is the outrage of Sharpton regarding the death of Zemir Begic?
It’s Time to Hold Protesters Accountable
Ron Christie
December 4, 2014
Perhaps my outrage at the men defending Cosby springs from my own feelings of guilt.
What Trait Do Bill Cosby’s Defenders Share?
Dean Obeidallah
November 26, 2014

Historical Examples of outrage

As Lizzie put it, Sarah's appearance was an outrage on her contemporaries.
Life and Death of Harriett Frean
May Sinclair
Burke was fairly gasping over this outrage against his authority.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
Take them off instantly, and tell me what you mean by this outrage.
The Penance of Magdalena and Other Tales of the California Missions
J. Smeaton Chase
The outrage on the Warden was not so grotesque, but the effect was the same.
The Underdog
F. Hopkinson Smith
"It would have been an outrage, sir, if he had won it," broke in a stranger.
The Underdog
F. Hopkinson Smith

British Dictionary definitions for outrage

outrage

noun

a wantonly vicious or cruel act

a gross violation of decency, morality, honour, etc

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

verb (tr)

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

Word Origin for outrage

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for outrage

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.

c.1300, "to go to excess, act immoderately," from outrage (n.). From 1580s with meaning "do violence to." Related: Outraged; outraging.