grow irate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grow irate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone becoming increasingly angry or annoyed over time. Example: "As the meeting dragged on without resolution, several participants began to grow irate at the lack of progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the face-off between right-wing populism and neoliberalism, Tea Party legions and Trumpists now find Fortune 500 CEOs morally obnoxious and an economic threat, grow irate at Federal Reserve bail-outs, and are fired up by the multiple crises set off by global free trade and the treaties that go with it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The far-right wing of his government grew irate.

The New Yorker

One downstairs neighbor, an elderly woman, grew irate when the 5- and 10-year-old boys upstairs bounced balls.

The New York Times

When she worked at Delta Air Lines as an agent coping with travelers' preboarding problems, one passenger grew irate at a delay.

The New York Times

Officials in the governor's office, though, grew irate at Mr. Whitehead's repeated displays of independence, including criticism of some state business grant programs.

The New York Times

The bank's shareholders, many of whom had bought shares for as much as $10 in late 1994, grew irate as the stock fell to about $6.50.

The New York Times

With 4 56 remaining, Thomas grew irate after being called for his fifth foul and he began moving toward one of the referees.

The New York Times - Sports

"We have had at least two incidents where security has had to be called in" because passengers had grown irate, she said.

The New York Times

"Now I'm not going to go there just because you guys are making a mockery of it," Johnson said, suddenly growing irate.

The New York Times - Sports

I grew irate when my then soon-to-be-husband suggested that I maybe should stop rubbing oil into my face, but eventually conceded that he might be right.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Years ago, he once grew irate when his brother — hair still wet from a shower — requested a few more minutes to ready himself before heading to prayers.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grow irate" to describe a gradual increase in anger or frustration, rather than a sudden outburst. This emphasizes the process of becoming angry over time.

Common error

Avoid using "grow irate" to describe instances of immediate, explosive anger. Instead, opt for phrases like "became enraged" or "flew into a rage" to convey sudden bursts of anger.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow irate" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a verb followed by an adjective. It describes a process of becoming angry. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates a gradual increase in anger, not a sudden outburst.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grow irate" is a grammatically sound verb phrase that describes the gradual development of anger. According to Ludwig, it's best used when emphasizing the process of becoming angry over time, not for describing sudden outbursts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone. Remember to use related phrases like "become enraged" or "get infuriated" when describing immediate anger. By understanding these subtle differences, you can effectively communicate the intended level of anger in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Become enraged

Implies a more intense and sudden onset of anger compared to "grow irate".

Get infuriated

Suggests a state of extreme anger, possibly more intense than simply growing irate.

Become incensed

Similar to enraged but often used in response to perceived injustice.

Get exasperated

Focuses on the frustration aspect, implying a loss of patience rather than pure anger.

Be filled with indignation

Emphasizes the feeling of righteous anger at perceived unfairness.

Turn livid

Suggests a visible display of anger, often associated with a change in complexion.

Flare up

Implies a sudden burst of anger, which can be short-lived.

Boil over

Indicates a point where suppressed anger finally explodes.

Get worked up

Suggests a gradual build-up of agitation, not necessarily anger.

See red

An idiomatic expression indicating sudden, intense anger.

FAQs

How can I use "grow irate" in a sentence?

You can use "grow irate" to describe a gradual increase in someone's anger. For example: "As the meeting dragged on, the attendees began to "grow irate"."

What's a synonym for "grow irate"?

Synonyms for "grow irate" include "become enraged", "get infuriated", or "get exasperated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "grow irate" or "become angry"?

"Grow irate" implies a gradual escalation of anger, while "become angry" is more general. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the progressive nature of the anger.

What is the difference between "grow irate" and "be irate"?

"Be irate" describes a state of being angry, whereas "grow irate" describes the process of becoming angry. The former is static, while the latter is dynamic.