1. Definition of “Outraged”
“Outraged” is an adjective that describes a very strong feeling of anger, indignation, or moral outrage. When someone is outraged, they are extremely upset and offended by something that they consider to be unjust, immoral, or simply unacceptable. For example, “The public was outraged by the politician's corrupt behavior” shows that people felt a powerful sense of anger and moral disapproval towards the politician's actions.
2. Synonyms
- Indignant
- “Indignant” is an adjective that means feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment or injustice. It emphasizes the sense of moral indignation. For example, “She was indignant when she found out that she had been wrongly accused of cheating.” While both “outraged” and “indignant” convey anger due to something unjust, “indignant” often focuses more on the personal sense of being wronged and having a moral stance against the situation, whereas “outraged” can be a broader and more intense reaction to various kinds of offensive or unacceptable behavior.
- Furious
- “Furious” is an adjective that describes extreme anger. It implies a very high level of rage and can be used when someone is extremely angry about something. For example, “He was furious when he learned that his car had been scratched.” Compared to “outraged,” “furious” is more centered on the intensity of the anger itself and might not always carry the same connotation of moral or ethical offense. It simply emphasizes the vehemence of the emotional response.
- Enraged
- “Enraged” is also an adjective meaning to be made extremely angry. It suggests a sudden and intense burst of anger. For example, “The customer was enraged when the waiter spilled soup on his new suit.” Similar to “furious,” “enraged” highlights the extreme level of anger but might imply a more immediate and explosive reaction, while “outraged” can be a result of building up feelings due to something that violates moral or ethical standards over time.
- Incensed
- “Incensed” is an adjective that means to be very angry or filled with wrath, often because of something offensive or unjust. For example, “The employees were incensed by the company's decision to cut their benefits.” It has a similar sense to “outraged” in that it involves anger due to something perceived as wrong, but it may have a slightly more formal or literary tone in usage compared to some of the other synonyms.