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
During the Raiders’ practice Friday in Henderson, Nevada, Crosby drew the ire of Kirk Cousins. — Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026 His ire was raised by Iran claiming that its meetings with Oman on Monday were focused solely on establishing a temporary route for safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for the global oil trade. — Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
The plan has drawn disapproval from members of the public and ire from architectural and conservation groups, one of which sued to block it back in December. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026 Of two Montana homesteaders at war over a gate installed on a private road, one is a nerd culture YouTuber who directs his fans’ ire toward the ever-present thorn in his side. — Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026 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
  • On cue, China expressed indignation about anti-missile deployments.
    — Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Mind you, Miss Manners agrees with your indignation at this fraudulent maneuver.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
Definition of indignation
Verb
  • The two women who won jury trials in their lawsuits against the county are angered that the county has opted to appeal.
    — Sean Emery, Oc Register, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Public backlash is prompting San Diego to reopen 13 restrooms in Mission Bay Park this Friday after a six-week closure during the heart of summer that angered city residents and tourists.
    — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of anger
Noun
  • The journey by sea was treacherous, and the men who knew about the Koh-i-Noor feared the curse of the stone had turned its wrath on them.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Brown gave up a quick pressure that resulted in Burrow feeling the wrath.
    — Gladys Louise Tyler, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of wrath
Verb
  • Georgia prosecutors have charged Deja Coleman, his mother, with second-degree murder, infuriating child safety advocates who say that hot car deaths are nearly always accidental and tragic.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Under its previous operator, Mountain View had been plagued by riots that drew negative press and infuriated locals.
    — Paige Pfleger, ProPublica, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of infuriate
Noun
  • Domestic grievances and outrage over Gaza make for a potent mix, and a wave of protest comparable to the uprisings of 15 years ago could again be on the horizon.
    — MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Within weeks of Porter’s death, ICE agents gunned down Renee Good and Alex Pretti in confrontations in Minneapolis, with both slayings drawing national outrage.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of outrage
Verb
  • North Carolina and Bill Belichick got zero, no doubt enraging girlfriend Jordon Hudson.
    — Greg Cote August 2, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Fauci pleaded the Fifth a number of times, which appears to have enraged a lot of people.
    — Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026
Definition of enrage
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
  • 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

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 20 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of ire for Spanish Speakers

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