anger

[ang-ger]

noun

1. a strong feeling of displeasure and belligerence aroused by a wrong; wrath; ire.

   Synonyms: spleen, bile, choler, exasperation, resentment

2. Chiefly British Dialect.,  pain or smart, as of a sore.

3. Obsolete.,  grief; trouble.

verb (used with object)

1. to arouse anger or wrath in.

   Synonyms: madden, incense, enrage, infuriate, exasperate, irritate, vex, displease

2. Chiefly British Dialect.,  to cause to smart; inflame.

verb (used without object)

1. to become angry.

   He angers with little provocation.

anger

/ ˈæŋɡə /

noun

1. a feeling of great annoyance or antagonism as the result of some real or supposed grievance; rage; wrath

verb

1. (tr) to make angry; enrage

Other Word Forms

• angerless adjective
• unangered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of anger¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English, from Scandinavian; compare Old Norse angr “sorrow, grief,” akin to Old High German angust ( German Angst “fear”), Latin angor “anguish”

Word History and Origins

Origin of anger¹

C12: from Old Norse angr grief; related to Old English enge, Old High German engi narrow, Latin angere to strangle

Idioms and Phrases

see more in sorrow than in anger.

Synonym Study

Anger, fury, indignation, rage imply deep and strong feelings aroused by injury, injustice, wrong, etc. Anger is the general term for a sudden violent displeasure: a burst of anger. Indignation implies deep and justified anger: indignation at cruelty or against corruption. Rage is vehement anger: rage at being frustrated. Fury is rage so great that it resembles insanity: the fury of an outraged lover.

Example Sentences

Drifting between boiling anger and crushing regret, O’Brien’s delivery of a monologue to the ghost of Rocky astounds for its insides-bearing rawness.

From Los Angeles Times

In this respect “I Know This Much Is True” also is a dramatic tapestry of destructive anger issues, festering under a lifetime of repressed resentment and confusion.

From Salon

This was never transformed into tangible success measured by silverware, with Levy increasingly a target for supporters' anger throughout his tenure.

From BBC

The video spread over the weekend on platforms including X, Instagram and Reddit, sparking an outpouring of anger among commenters along the way.

From Los Angeles Times

The case has gripped social media, fuelled by anger towards America's private health insurers.

From BBC

Related Words

• acrimony 
• animosity 
• annoyance 
• antagonism 
• displeasure 
• enmity 
• exasperation 
• fury 
• hatred 
• impatience 
• indignation 
• ire 
• irritation 
• outrage 
• passion 
• rage 
• resentment 
• temper 
• violence 

When To Use

What does anger mean?

Anger is a human emotion that involves intense displeasure and aggression as a response to an aggravating event, as in My mother was filled with anger after she found out that I had snuck out to the party.The word anger is also used to mean to make someone feel anger or to begin to feel anger oneself, as in That grouchy old man next door angers easily. Anger also refers to making someone else feel anger, as in The disrespect shown by the new recruit angered the drill instructor.Anger is a strong human emotion, and you’ve likely experienced anger in your own life. If you have ever felt your heart pumping strongly and wanted to scream or punch a wall, you’ve felt anger. You might feel anger when someone insults you, takes something from you, hurts one of your loved ones, or does something that you really don’t like. Feeling anger is completely normal, although how you respond to anger can make a big difference.Angry is used to describe feeling anger, as in I try to avoid angry dogs.Example: The silly jester was an expert at calming the king’s anger.