ire 1 of 2

noun

ˈī(-ə)r How to pronounce ire (audio)
Definition of irenext
as in indignation
an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something the patronizing comment from the snooty waiter roused her ire

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ire

2 of 2

verb

as in to anger
to make angry nothing ires him more than having to wait for his dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun ire differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ire are anger, fury, indignation, rage, and wrath. While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.

cheeks flushed with ire

In what contexts can anger take the place of ire?

While the synonyms anger and ire are close in meaning, anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.

tried to hide his anger

When is it sensible to use indignation instead of ire?

In some situations, the words indignation and ire are roughly equivalent. However, indignation stresses righteous anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful.

a comment that caused general indignation

How are the words rage and fury related as synonyms of ire?

Both rage and fury suggest loss of self-control from violence of emotion.

shook with rage
could not contain his fury

Where would wrath be a reasonable alternative to ire?

While in some cases nearly identical to ire, wrath is likely to suggest a desire or intent to punish or get revenge.

I feared her wrath if I was discovered

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ire
Noun
His ire towards Katia Itzel García wasn’t a good look, not least because one of her decisions correctly spotted a Jonathan David slip. —Phil Hay, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025 Pam's ire seemed to stem from not being a person in her own right. —Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 24 Mar. 2025 Paul Weiss drew Trump’s ire not for anything sports related but largely because of former law firm partner—and former federal prosecutor—Mark Pomerantz. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Mar. 2025 The switch-up earned him the praise of President Donald Trump but the ire of prominent Democrats. —Averi Harper, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ire
  1. indignation
  2. anger
  3. wrath
  4. infuriate
  5. outrage
  6. enrage
  7. fury
  8. rage
Noun
  • Newcastle United fans will be used to the fact that they aren’t allowed to enjoy these occasions before sports journalists’ chin-stroking moral indignation takes hold.
    — Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The Baldwins shame him, but their righteous indignation feels insincere considering Baldwin wasn’t using her name in that footage with detectives.
    — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of indignation
Verb
  • As the situation unfolds, Republicans are caught in a delicate balancing act, wary of angering Trump while addressing the growing backlash against his trade policies.
    — Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
  • That effort failed, but as one of the last acts of his first governorship, Brown signed a bill to increase payments to such workers by about $3 billion a year, angering employers who must provide coverage.
    — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of anger
Noun
  • Not Choosing Your Trees Wisely The shade of a giant oak certainly has its appeal, but planting one on a five-foot stretch of earth separating your driveway from your neighbor’s is ill-advised and a surefire way to feel the wrath of the family who lives next door.
    — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Congressional Republicans were not inclined to deny Hegseth his appointment or to risk the President’s wrath.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of wrath
Verb
  • And Democrats bet that Mr. Musk would infuriate their voters more than Mr. Trump’s endorsement would benefit Judge Schimel.
    — Reid J. Epstein, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Crook told police the woman driving the Tesla had bumped his truck when opening her car door, infuriating him.
    — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of infuriate
Noun
  • Italy has halted talks on a potential $1.5 billion deal for secure government communications amid outrage over threats to cut off Ukraine’s access to Starlink.
    — Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The National Parks Service has restored the original Harriet Tubman material featured on a webpage about the Underground Railroad after garnering outrage over its removal.
    — David Matthews, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of outrage
Verb
  • Rick is enraged, and finds Jim happily taking a photograph with his wife, Sritala (Lek Patravadi), and the three galpals on vacation.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
  • While Yoon’s failure to deliver noticeable economic gains estranged this cohort, the manner of his removal still enrages his base, which has been galvanized by the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories on right-wing blogs and social media.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of enrage
Noun
  • Rather than working himself into a fury with alcohol, Lennon became more demonstrably affectionate and embraced the act of embracing.
    — Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • State of play: Democratic town halls across the country have been erupting into fury over Senate Democrats' decision to let a Republican spending bill pass rather than use it as leverage to constrain DOGE.
    — Andrew Solender, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of fury
Noun
  • Male rage, particularly on display in parts of the manosphere, has been steadily rising.
    — Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Also, the trade war rages, and there were mass firings at key scientific agencies.
    — Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of rage

Browse Nearby Words

irateness
ire
ired
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Cite this Entry

“Ire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ire. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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