outrage
OUT-rayj
/ˈaʊt.reɪdʒ/
An extremely strong reaction of anger, shock, or indignation; an act that offends public decency.
Blends intense anger with shock at a violation of ethical, legal, or social standards.
The story behind the word. Despite its modern appearance, 'outrage' is NOT a combination of 'out' and 'rage'. It derives from Old French 'outrage' based on 'outre' (beyond). It originally meant going beyond reasonable bounds or committing an excess.
Word relationships
- indignation: Indignation is the feeling of moral anger; outrage is both the feeling and the shocking act itself.
- approval: Approval indicates endorsement or satisfaction.
Commonly confused with
- outreach: Outreach means extending services or help to a community; outrage is intense anger at a wrong.
Word family
- outrageous (adjective): Shocking, bad, or excessive.
- outrageously (adverb): To an outrageous degree.
Collocations
- spark outrage
- public outrage
- moral outrage
- express outrage
Idioms & expressions
- cry foul
Example sentences
- "The public expressed widespread outrage over the corrupt official's light sentence." Public scandal
- "The proposed cuts to healthcare will outrage communities across the nation." Action verb
Memory hook
Outrage is NOT 'out + rage', but going OUT of bounds to cause RAGE. Crossing the line beyond decency.
When not to use
Do not use for simple private annoyances that lack public or moral stakes.
Fun facts
- Folk etymology altered the spelling of the Old French word to end in 'rage' because people assumed it meant outside rage!
Explore more words
scandalous, affront, atrocity, infamous, provocative, resentment
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