Words / C1

OWTR-ayj/ˈaʊtreɪdʒ/

Outrage is shocked anger, or an act that causes it: public outrage, an outrage. Also a verb (outrage the committee). Anger is everyday; fury is stronger. Outrageous is the adjective (shocking). Do not call a late bus an outrage unless harm or a real scandal is in play.

Meaning

A strong feeling of shock and anger, or an act that causes it.

Examples

• “Public outrage followed the leaked marking scheme, not the dull correction.”
• “Outrage followed the leaked scheme; the correction itself was dull and proper.”
• “Anger is everyday; outrage adds shock at a wrong. Outrageous claims are the adjective. As a verb: the delay outraged parents. A late tram is seldom the noun.”

Good to know

Shocked anger / a shocking act. Also a verb. Adjective: outrageous. Everyday: anger. Save it for a real wrong, not a late tram.

Near in meaning

anger

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