become enraged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become enraged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a transition from a calm state to one of anger or fury. Example: "After hearing the unfair accusations, she began to become enraged and could hardly contain her emotions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I become enraged, in other words.

The New Yorker

His father told NBC he once become enraged by two men kissing in public.

The Guardian - Opinion

The police said Mr. Parsell had become enraged after being spurned by Miss Grech.

The New York Times

He tended to become enraged when he did not like the coverage.

The New York Times

Very soon, the already disgruntled population will become enraged, and then the point of no return will have been passed".

The New York Times

On Sunday, the killer's father said his son had recently become enraged when he saw two men kissing.

The Washington Post

Despite the low-priced fines, Officer Barrett said, many motorists become enraged to find a ticket on the windshield.

The New York Times

He shoved Referee Jeff Triplette to the ground after he had become enraged because he was afraid of going blind.

The New York Times - Sports

The sisters become enraged when Helen Keller breaks a Ming vase because they only have 17 of them.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The complaint states that Kenyon II and one of the accused assistants "would force her to eat and become enraged any time she failed to consume".

The Guardian - Books

If schools worry about that kind of silliness, they become enraged about sites created as forums to criticize school policies or personnel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become enraged" to depict a gradual escalation of anger rather than a sudden burst. This conveys a sense of building tension and emotional build-up.

Common error

While grammatically correct, continuously using "become enraged" in formal writing can sound repetitive. Consider varying your vocabulary with synonyms like "become furious" or "become incensed" to maintain reader engagement and convey subtle differences in emotional intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become enraged" functions as a verb phrase indicating a change of state, specifically the transition into a state of intense anger. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is commonly used to describe someone's emotional response to a situation, as demonstrated in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

8%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "become enraged" is a versatile and widely used verb phrase that effectively conveys a transition into a state of intense anger. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, from news reports to creative writing. While very common in News & Media, its impact can be maximized by strategically considering the level of formality required and occasionally employing synonyms to maintain reader engagement. The high number of examples found by Ludwig underscores its prevalence in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become furious

Emphasizes intense anger, suggesting a higher degree of emotional arousal than "become enraged".

become infuriated

Indicates a state of extreme anger, often triggered by a specific cause.

become incensed

Suggests a more formal and indignant type of anger, often due to perceived injustice.

grow angry

Indicates a gradual increase in anger, suggesting a process rather than a sudden outburst.

fly into a rage

Implies a sudden and uncontrolled outburst of anger.

lose one's temper

Suggests a loss of self-control due to anger.

become indignant

Highlights anger mixed with surprise and injustice.

boil with anger

Conveys an image of suppressed anger that is about to explode.

bristle with anger

Implies a defensive and reactive form of anger.

see red

Indicates a sudden and overwhelming feeling of anger, often leading to impulsive actions.

FAQs

How can I use "become enraged" in a sentence?

You can use "become enraged" to describe a process of escalating anger. For example: "The crowd "become enraged" as the speaker continued to defend the controversial policy." or "He "become enraged" after discovering the betrayal".

What phrases are similar to "become enraged"?

Similar phrases include "become furious", "become infuriated", or "grow angry". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "become angry" or "become enraged"?

"Become angry" is a general term for feeling anger. "Become enraged" implies a heightened state of anger, suggesting fury or intense indignation. The choice depends on the intensity of the emotion you want to express.

What is the difference between "become enraged" and "be enraged"?

"Become enraged" describes the process of transitioning into a state of rage, while "be enraged" describes the state of being in rage. For example: "He watched as his opponent "become enraged"" (transition), versus "He was enraged by the insult" (state).