outrage
n. · v.-
1 shocked anger (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea strong feeling of shock and anger because something is very unfair or wrong.
a powerful feeling of resentment or moral indignation triggered by a perceived injustice or atrocity.
ExampleThe public expressed outrage when they heard about the new tax laws.
ExampleThe leaked documents sparked widespread public outrage, leading to immediate calls for a full parliamentary inquiry into the matter.
UsageOften used with the verbs 'spark', 'cause', or 'express'.
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2 a shocking act (n.) C1 Advanced Formalan action that is very wrong, cruel, or unfair.
an act of extreme violence, cruelty, or wickedness that violates moral standards.
ExampleThe destruction of the ancient temple was a moral outrage.
ExampleHuman rights groups described the treatment of the prisoners as a moral outrage that violated international law.
Teacher's tipIn this sense, the word is often used as a countable noun to describe a specific event.
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3 to make someone angry (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto make someone feel very shocked and angry.
to offend the moral sense or pride of someone; to provoke a strong feeling of indignation.
ExampleThe decision to close the local hospital outraged the community.
ExampleThe CEO's massive bonus, awarded despite the company's poor performance, deeply outraged the shareholders and employees alike.
UsageThis is a transitive verb and requires a direct object.
- offend
- infuriate
- appal
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.