What does "outrage" mean?
An excessively violent or vicious attack; an atrocity.
Outrage
/ˈaʊt.ɹeɪd͡ʒ/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An excessively violent or vicious attack; an atrocity.
- Grammar: outrage is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: indignation, scandal, abomination, abominations.
- Useful contrasts: acquiescence, apathy, appease.
- Usage evidence: The word "outage" is an outrage.
How to use "outrage"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "outrage" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "outrage" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "outrage" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "outrage" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "outrage" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "indignation" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "outrage", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An excessively violent or vicious attack; an atrocity. countable, uncountable
"There the cause of death was soon ascertained ; the victim of this daring outrage had been stabbed to death from ear to ear with a long, sharp instrument, in shape like an antique stiletto, which […] was subsequently found under the cushions of the hansom.[…]"
- 2 a wantonly cruel act wordnet
- 3 An offensive, immoral or indecent act. countable, uncountable
- 4 the act of scandalizing wordnet
- 5 The resentful, indignant, or shocked anger aroused by such acts. uncountable
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 a disgraceful event wordnet
- 7 A destructive rampage. countable, obsolete, uncountable
"The Lords acknowledge the great and happy Providence of Almighty God, in the preventing of ſo horrid an Outrage, which might have endangered the Lives of the Chief Magiſtrates, and alſo hazarded the Spoil of the whole City of London."
- 8 a feeling of righteous anger wordnet
Verb
- 1 To cause or commit an outrage upon; to treat with violence or abuse. transitive
"August 30, 1706, Francis Atterbury, a sermon preach'd in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, at the funeral of Mr. Tho. Bennet Base and insolent minds […] outrage men when they have Hopes of doing it without a Return."
- 2 strike with disgust or revulsion wordnet
- 3 To inspire feelings of outrage in. transitive
"The senator's comments outraged the community."
- 4 force (someone) to have sex against their will wordnet
- 5 To sexually violate; to rape. archaic, transitive
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 violate the sacred character of a place or language wordnet
- 7 To rage in excess of. obsolete, transitive
"Their will the tiger sucked, outraged the storm"
Antonyms
Example
"The word "outage" is an outrage."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "outrage"?
Common synonyms include: indignation, scandal, abomination, abominations, abuse, afflict.
How do you use "outrage" in a sentence?
The word "outage" is an outrage.
How do you pronounce "outrage"?
Pronounced /ˈaʊt.ɹeɪd͡ʒ/.
Etymology
From Middle English outrage, from Old French outrage, oultrage (“excess”), from Vulgar Latin *ultrāticum ("a going beyond"), derived from Latin ultrā (“beyond”). Later reanalysed as out- + rage, whence the contemporary pronunciation, though neither of these is etymologically related. The verb is from Middle English outragen, from Old French oultragier.