Word
outrage
Phoneticsout·rage, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈaʊˌtɹeɪdʒ/
UK/ˈaʊtɹeɪdʒ/
Definitions
01shocked anger
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a strong feeling of shock and anger because something is very unfair or wrong.
n. a powerful feeling of resentment or moral indignation triggered by a perceived injustice or atrocity.
“The public expressed outrage when they heard about the new tax laws.”
“The leaked documents sparked widespread public outrage, leading to immediate calls for a full parliamentary inquiry into the matter.”
Usage
Often used with the verbs 'spark', 'cause', or 'express'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02a shocking act
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. an action that is very wrong, cruel, or unfair.
n. an act of extreme violence, cruelty, or wickedness that violates moral standards.
日本語:暴挙※
“The destruction of the ancient temple was a moral outrage.”
“Human rights groups described the treatment of the prisoners as a moral outrage that violated international law.”
Teaching tip
In this sense, the word is often used as a countable noun to describe a specific event.
03to make someone angry
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to make someone feel very shocked and angry.
v. to offend the moral sense or pride of someone; to provoke a strong feeling of indignation.
“The decision to close the local hospital outraged the community.”
“The CEO's massive bonus, awarded despite the company's poor performance, deeply outraged the shareholders and employees alike.”
Usage
This is a transitive verb and requires a direct object.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “outrage” in context.
Verb
01. express outrage at the decision
“Human rights groups expressed outrage at the decision to deport the asylum seekers.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
02. spark public outrage
“The government's decision to cut healthcare funding sparked public outrage across the country.”
verb + adj + noun
03. vent their outrage
“Protesters took to the streets to vent their outrage over the rising cost of living.”
verb + possessive + noun
Adjective
04. moral outrage
“There was a sense of moral outrage when the details of the corruption scandal were revealed.”
adj + noun
05. widespread outrage
“The leaked documents caused widespread outrage among the electorate.”
adj + noun
Preposition
06. cries of outrage
“His controversial remarks were met with cries of outrage from the audience.”
noun + of + noun
07. in outrage
“The crowd gasped in outrage as the referee dismissed the home team's captain.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“Arday’s death has sparked outrage among certain sections of British society, who argue that his treatment by the media was fuelled by racism.” “There was a risk the announcement might be drowned out by howls of rightwing outrage after the prime minister dared suggest that middle-class areas also ought to house asylum seekers.” 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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/outrage
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0