outrage

[ out-reyj ]

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.

verb (used with object)

, out·raged, out·rag·ing.

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

/ 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

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 Words From

• un·outraged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of outrage¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Old French outrage, ultrage, equivalent to outr ( er ) to push beyond bounds (derivative of outre beyond < Latin ultrā ) + -age -age

Word History and Origins

Origin of outrage¹

C13 (meaning: excess): via French from outré beyond, from Latin ultrā

Example Sentences

In two public surveys conducted as part of the research, Keserű said, participants were outraged and felt exploited in scenarios where their health data were sold for a profit without their knowledge.

From Los Angeles Times

Laura Van Broekhoven, who is the director of the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, said she was "outraged" at the auction and praised the decision to remove the remains from sale.

From BBC

Instead, they are running to reporters, professing shock and outrage at the cast of dangerous clowns he is tapping to serve in his cabinet.

From Salon

Unions and other advocacy groups say they are determined to fight, hoping they can find some allies in Congress to step up and "hoping public shaming and outrage may protect them."

From Salon

“This is a conservative area, so it’s walking that line. I want people to know I’m here, but I don’t want to cause too much outrage and attention.”

From Salon

Related Words

• fury
• indignation
• resentment
• shock