road rage

American  

[rohd reyj] / ˈroʊd ˌreɪdʒ /

noun

1. a fit of violent anger by the driver of an automobile, especially one directed toward and endangering other motorists or pedestrians.

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road rage British  

noun

1. aggressive behaviour by a motorist in response to the actions of another road user

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Other Word Forms

• road rager noun

Etymology

Origin of road rage

First recorded in 1985–90; probably by analogy with slightly earlier roid rage ( def. )

Example Sentences

A road rage incident at a stoplight in Hollywood a few years ago, triggered by Lee’s delayed response to a green light, became the catalyst for the first season.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

A land where most cannot fathom life without wheels, it offers a daily parade of frustration: congestion, accidents, construction, road rage, tedium.

From New York Times • Mar. 20, 2024

Winners in the television categories included Ali Wong and Steven Yeun for Netflix's road rage series Beef, and Pedro Pascal for post-apocalyptic drama The Last of Us.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2024

“There are a lot of problems on the roads these — road rage and other things like that. This unfortunately will add to people’s level of concern,” Levy said.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 30, 2024

Psychologist Carla Manly told Salon the psychological underpinnings of road rage are “complex” as they are often connected to unresolved personal issues in a person’s life.

From Salon • Jan. 14, 2024