noun
outrage
OWT-rayj
noun
1
Strong anger or indignation caused by something shocking or unfair.
"The verdict sparked outrage across the country."
"There was widespread outrage at the company's decision to cut jobs."
2
A shockingly violent, cruel, or offensive act.
"The bombing was condemned as an outrage against innocent civilians."
verb
1
To make someone feel angry and shocked.
"The comments outraged animal rights groups."
How to Use Outrage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIntense anger at something shocking or unjust — or the shocking act itself.
Common mistake
Despite how it sounds, "outrage" has nothing etymologically to do with "rage" — that link is a coincidence of later pronunciation.
Common pairings
public outrage
spark outrage
moral outrage
Word Forms
outraged past tense, outrages plural, outrages singular
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Etymology
From Old French outrage, "excess," ultimately from Latin ultra ("beyond"). It was later reinterpreted by English speakers as out- + rage, which is why it's pronounced that way today — even though the two words aren't actually related.