act of outrage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "act of outrage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific action or event that causes anger or shock, often in a social or political context. Example: "The act of outrage committed by the protestors drew national attention and sparked a heated debate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

There were reports that Mr. Moustafa and Ms. Tamim had been romantically involved, that Ms. Tamim had fled and that the killing was an act of outrage and revenge.

The New York Times

When the remnants of the company reach the port, before they can embark for Jerusalem a deliberate and collective act of outrage on one of their number, old and blind and helpless, has to take place.

The New York Times - Books

At one level, the destabilization of Jordan has been initiated through the act of outrage; but at the political level, too, ISIS' act aggravates and stirs the political contradictions inherent in Jordan's political posture.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"NBK" is a penny dreadful blown up into an act of outrage--and certainly the most radical film any major studio (in this case Warner Bros).

The New Yorker

But did the international community at least act upon its expressions of outrage and concern?

The Guardian

Mr. Bouazizi's act of desperation fueled public outrage and led to a month-long uprising that finally toppled the authoritarian president, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, and forced him to flee the country on Jan . 14

The New York Times

This is the second presidential election in which Republicans have seized on the attack in which four Americans died, and for the same reason they fixated on it in 2012: It provides an opportunity to paint Democrats as mendacious about whether the attack was an act of terrorism or a product of outrage in the Muslim world over a YouTube video defaming the prophet Muhammad.

Los Angeles Times

The question of the day in New York City on Tuesday — what would you do? — rode on a wave of outrage over a harrowing act the day before.

The New York Times

"But not every outrage, every act of aggression or every crisis can or should elicit a military response," he wrote in the current issue of Foreign Affairs magazine.

The New York Times

During the third final (of five) of the World Series Cup one-day international between Australia and New Zealand —a final witnessed by a then world-record crowd of 52,990— an act of underhandedness caused uproar and outrage on both sides of the Tasman.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet The Act Of Killing provokes praise, not outrage: perhaps because the history it exploits "is so far away, and so little known, that the cruelty can pass uncriticised".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "act of outrage" to describe a specific event or action that elicits strong feelings of anger, shock, or indignation from a community or group. Be sure the context clearly indicates why the action is considered outrageous.

Common error

Avoid using "act of outrage" for minor offenses or disagreements. The phrase carries a strong connotation of moral transgression and should be reserved for situations warranting significant condemnation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "act of outrage" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing events that provoke strong condemnation. According to Ludwig AI, this is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "act of outrage" is used to describe actions that provoke strong feelings of shock, anger, or indignation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a noun phrase and is typically used in neutral contexts, particularly in news and media. While grammatically correct, it's important to reserve this phrase for situations that genuinely warrant significant condemnation. The examples from Ludwig show that the phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, with alternatives including "offensive action", "shocking deed", and "atrocious act".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outrageous incident

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes the event rather than the action itself.

atrocious act

Emphasizes the extreme cruelty or wickedness of the act.

heinous crime

Focuses on the criminal aspect of the act and its severity.

egregious violation

Highlights the flagrant and blatant nature of the violation.

offensive action

Focuses on the nature of the action as being offensive or causing offense.

grievous offense

Highlights the harm or injury caused by the act.

shocking deed

Emphasizes the element of surprise and shock associated with the act.

shameful episode

Focuses on the disgrace and dishonor associated with the event.

scandalous behavior

Highlights the disreputable and potentially immoral nature of the behavior.

unacceptable conduct

Emphasizes the violation of social norms or ethical standards.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "act of outrage" in a sentence?

To effectively use "act of outrage", ensure the context clearly illustrates why the action is considered shocking or offensive. For example, "The politician's blatant lie was seen as an "act of outrage" by voters".

What are some alternatives to "act of outrage"?

You can use alternatives like "offensive action", "shocking deed", or "atrocious act" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "act of outrage" and "expression of outrage"?

"Act of outrage" refers to the action that causes widespread anger or indignation, while "expression of outrage" describes the reaction to such an act. One is the cause, the other is the effect.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "act of outrage"?

It is appropriate when describing an event or action that violates moral or ethical standards, causing significant public anger and condemnation. Consider whether a less charged phrase might be more suitable if the situation is not particularly severe.