INDIGNATIONS Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'indignation' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of indignation are anger , fury , ire , rage , and wrath . While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," indignation stresses righteous anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful. // a comment that caused general indignation

Q: When can 'anger' be used instead of 'indignation'?

The synonyms anger and indignation are sometimes interchangeable, but anger , the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity. // tried to hide his anger

Q: When could 'ire' be used to replace 'indignation'?

The words ire and indignation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ire , more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling. // cheeks flushed with ire

Q: How are the words 'rage' and 'fury' related as synonyms of 'indignation'?

Both rage and fury suggest loss of self-control from violence of emotion. // shook with rage // could not contain his fury

Q: When is it sensible to use 'wrath' instead of 'indignation'?

While the synonyms wrath and indignation are close in meaning, wrath is likely to suggest a desire or intent to punish or get revenge. // I feared her wrath if I was discovered

indignation

noun

ˌin-dig-ˈnā-shən

Definition of indignation

as in anger

an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something their indignation at the offensive television show led them to start a grassroots campaign for its cancellation

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How does the noun indignation differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of indignation are anger, fury, ire, rage, and wrath. While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," indignation stresses righteous anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful.

a comment that caused general indignation

When can anger be used instead of indignation?

The synonyms anger and indignation are sometimes interchangeable, but anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.

tried to hide his anger

When could ire be used to replace indignation?

The words ire and indignation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.

cheeks flushed with ire

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

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

shook with rage

could not contain his fury

When is it sensible to use wrath instead of indignation?

While the synonyms wrath and indignation are close in meaning, 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 indignation The video went viral, encapsulating the prevalent mood of indignation about official nonaction. — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 He was deservedly sent off after a reckless foul on Pau Cubarsi, before grabbing the referee’s arm and tossing it to the side in indignation. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 28 June 2026 Zelenskyy returned the medal to Warsaw via standard mail, a gesture that caused significant indignation in Poland. — Lidia Kurasinska, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 Many expressed indignation that a climate-friendly clothing brand would appear to go after a beloved climate activist. — Brittany Peterson, Fortune, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for indignation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for indignation

Noun

Many of his supporters harbor deep frustration and anger at the American for-profit healthcare system.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Schore makes a similar distinction when discussing workplace anger.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of anger

Noun

However, viewers reacted to his video about the incident, often with outrage.

— Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Carrington may well receive some discipline from the league, but imagine the widespread outrage from WNBA media, players, coaches, and league staff if the situation was reversed?

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of outrage

Noun

Larson never concealed his fury at facing a challenger in a primary — a common occurrence in most states.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026
The development was met with private fury from several higher-ups at EFL clubs, with those growing club losses cited.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of fury

Noun

Cree Summer joined Rugrats in its second season, voicing Susie Carmichael, an ally who often protects the tots from Angelica’s wrath.

— Madeline Boardman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Aug. 2026
Today, District 24, now a smaller district with more people, still suffers the same wrath.

— Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of wrath

Noun

In 2024, the artist added a fifth video, Keening, addressing collective mourning and rage after October 7, 2023, in which Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and took 240 more hostage.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Furious at seeing piles of dead bodies, Wolverine unlocks a rage ability where his devastating attacks do even more damage.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of rage

Noun

But the mood coming out of Monday’s meeting was that a 20-team model will not be taken seriously.

— Chris Vannini, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
The mood in the clubhouse before Monday’s game, before the team lost 10-6 to Tampa Bay, was upbeat with Walton’s aromatics burning in the background.

— Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of mood

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indignation

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“Indignation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indignation. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of indignation

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