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

Example Sentences

The film, which prompted moral outrage in the U.S. and was heavily edited before it reached theaters, made Bardot a star and an emblem of French modernity.

From Los Angeles Times

The country is now embarking on an expensive building boom, sparking outrage at unsightly transmission towers and the potential harm to bats, dormice and other local wildlife.

From The Wall Street Journal

Around the world, the plinks and pops of pickleball have spawned outrage, provoking protests and even lawsuits.

From Barron's

That decision outraged a lot of people, especially poets who thought the prize should have gone to them.

From The Wall Street Journal

Then American Hikaru Nakamura, the world No. 2 and a popular streamer with millions of followers, took it to the next level—and sparked global outrage.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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