committed an outrage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "committed an outrage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an act that is considered shocking, offensive, or morally wrong. Example: "The organization was condemned after it was revealed that they had committed an outrage against the local community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Fricka also laments that Siegmund has committed an outrage by sleeping with a woman — Sieglinde — who is not only another man's wife but also his own twin sister.

The New Yorker

One example: On Oct. 14, 1893, the weekly Sporting Life expressed dismay that a female cyclist had committed "an outrage upon decency and good morals".

The New York Times

Described by sexologists as an attraction to partners who have "committed an outrage or crime, such as rape, murder or armed robbery," hybristophilia has not been thoroughly researched by scientists, but the phenomenon has been observed in the cases of many high-profile criminals, including Manson.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

To them, if a man gives plenty of warning that he is going to commit an outrage, and is not stopped, then the regime in power must be tacitly supporting him.

The New York Times

She argues that the play is an articulation of Euripides's "rage" at contemporary events: the Athenians had, in 415BC, committed a horrifying outrage on the island of Melos, killing all the men and enslaving the women and children.

The Guardian - Books

They are now on the ground having to deal with collateral damage". She argues that the play is an articulation of Euripides's "rage" at contemporary events: the Athenians had, in 415BC, committed a horrifying outrage on the island of Melos, killing all the men and enslaving the women and children.

The Guardian - Books

The father is painted as a fanatic intent on committing a terrorist outrage on American soil while his son is a westernised teenager who shares none of his parent's zeal.

The Guardian

So was there a better way for the US government to acquire this information without risking breaking international law and committing a moral outrage?

BBC

To draw some kind of moral equivalent between waterboarding judged by our Justice Department not to be torture and what the Japanese did with the Bataan Death March and the slaughter of thousands of Americans, with the rape of Nanking and all of the other crimes they committed, that's an outrage.

Huffington Post

The eco-terrorist gang commit a new murderous outrage – and make a new video deploying those animals heads once more.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

If you had sent me what I asked you for I should not have committed the outrage for which they are going to shoot me.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "committed an outrage" when you want to describe an action that is not only wrong but also deeply offensive to moral standards or public decency. It carries a stronger emotional charge than simply saying someone made a mistake.

Common error

Avoid using "committed an outrage" to describe minor inconveniences or disagreements. This phrase is best reserved for situations involving serious ethical breaches or shocking acts of violence or injustice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "committed an outrage" functions as a verb phrase expressing the performance of a profoundly offensive or shocking act. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically sound and usable in formal written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "committed an outrage" is a powerful expression used to describe actions that are profoundly shocking and morally offensive. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and generally employed in more formal contexts, particularly in News & Media and academic settings. While the phrase effectively conveys strong disapproval, it's essential to reserve its use for situations where the act truly warrants such condemnation, avoiding trivializing its impact. Alternatives like "perpetrated an atrocity" or "engaged in a scandalous act" can offer similar meanings with slightly different connotations, allowing for a more precise expression of the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perpetrated a shocking deed

Focuses on the surprise and dismay caused by the action.

perpetrated an atrocity

This alternative suggests a particularly brutal or inhumane act.

executed a heinous act

This emphasizes the wickedness and reprehensibility of the deed.

committed a transgression

This implies a violation of a law, rule, or moral principle.

engaged in a scandalous act

This highlights the public shame and disgrace associated with the action.

participated in a reprehensible act

This underscores the blameworthiness and moral condemnation of the action.

carried out an abomination

This phrase suggests an action that is deeply repugnant or disgusting.

committed a flagrant violation

Emphasizes the blatant and obvious nature of the offense.

inflicted a grave injustice

Highlights the unfairness and harm caused by the action.

effected a barbarous crime

Implies cruelty and lack of civilization in the commission of the crime.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "committed an outrage"?

To say someone "committed an outrage" means they performed an action that is deeply shocking, offensive, and often violates moral or ethical standards.

What are some alternatives to "committed an outrage"?

You can use alternatives like "perpetrated an atrocity", "committed a transgression", or "engaged in a scandalous act", depending on the specific context.

Is "committed an outrage" a formal or informal expression?

"Committed an outrage" is a relatively formal expression suitable for news reports, academic writing, and serious discussions. It may sound overly dramatic in casual conversation.

How does the intensity of "committed an outrage" compare to similar phrases?

"Committed an outrage" is stronger than phrases like "made a mistake" or "acted unwisely" but less intense than ""perpetrated an atrocity"". It indicates a significant breach of moral or ethical standards but doesn't necessarily imply extreme violence.