# outrage

/ˈaʊˌtɹeɪdʒ/ (US) · /ˈaʊtɹeɪdʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/outrage
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. shocked anger

noun · CEFR B2

a strong feeling of shock and anger because something is very unfair or wrong.

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. a shocking act

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

an action that is very wrong, cruel, or unfair.

For teachers: an act of extreme violence, cruelty, or wickedness that violates moral standards.

- 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.

### 3. to make someone angry

verb · CEFR B2

to make someone feel very shocked and angry.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The new tax caused public outrage across the country.
- The community expressed deep outrage after the historic library was demolished without any prior notice.
- The leaked documents sparked a wave of international outrage, forcing the government to issue a formal apology and promise immediate legislative reforms.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.