irate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'irate' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an adjective that means angry or very annoyed. For example, you might write, "The customer was irate when they received the wrong order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The Economist

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Irate passengers took to Twitter to express their anger as Finsbury Park was temporarily closed to ease congestion.

The Guardian - Business

Juncker, perceived until now as an honest broker in the crisis – taking a softer approach than the Germans, who are viewed in Greece as the architects of austerity – has rarely been seen in such an irate state, sources close to the EU in Garmisch-Partenkirchen said.

The Guardian

Among the more irate has been the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, who happens to be Kentucky's other senator.

The Guardian

He says: "The next thing is to start shouting, get irate and walk out.

The Guardian

He does, though, have a reputation for irate and erratic behaviour.

The Guardian

The extra "e", he said, stood for "Excellence, England, Europe and Entente (Cordiale)" – which brought him irate letters pointing out that the nose cones were actually made in Scotland.

The Guardian

I assume he had to field emails or phone calls from irate politicians' spokesmen and I fancy that had he been on the receiving end of someone making the sort of attack he himself made on Smith – he would have lost little sleep over that kind of thing back then.

The Guardian - Opinion

In February, an irate Obasanjo quit the PDP and dramatically ripped up his party membership card on television.

The Guardian

Trainer Jesus Ramos, gun on hip, says an irate citizen is not lodging a "personal attack", and advises responding with "you seem upset" to defuse the situation and allow them to vent.

The Guardian

Footage filmed by a witness to the stop on the corner of Mount and Baker Street, where Gray was placed in leg shackles after "acting irate" in the back of a police van, shows Gray lying halfway out of the van.

The Guardian

I don't just get irate out of principle.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "irate", consider the intensity of the anger you wish to convey. While it suggests strong displeasure, synonyms like "furious" or "enraged" might be more appropriate for extreme situations.

Common error

Avoid using "irate" in situations where the level of anger is mild. Words like "annoyed" or "displeased" are better suited for expressing minor irritation.

Linguistic Context

The word "irate" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe someone or something filled with intense anger. Ludwig AI confirms this, and the examples provided showcase its descriptive use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

The Economist

24%

The Guardian

9%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "irate" is an adjective used to describe someone or something filled with intense anger. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical use and its prevalence across a wide range of contexts. As supported by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and very common. Primarily found in News & Media sources, "irate" serves to effectively communicate strong displeasure or outrage. For situations requiring a nuanced approach, consider synonyms like "furious" or "annoyed" based on the intended intensity. It's a useful word to describe someone expressing extreme anger.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

furious

Indicates extreme anger, similar to "irate" but potentially more intense.

enraged

Implies a state of intense anger and loss of control, slightly stronger than "irate".

infuriated

Means to be filled with fury or rage, very close in meaning to "irate".

outraged

Suggests anger combined with a sense of injustice or moral offense.

indignant

Expresses anger or annoyance at perceived unfair treatment.

exasperated

Indicates frustration and annoyance, often due to repeated occurrences.

annoyed

Represents a milder form of anger or irritation compared to "irate".

aggravated

Implies a state of being made worse or more intense, leading to annoyance.

displeased

Shows a lack of satisfaction or mild disapproval.

cross

A more casual way of describing someone who is angry or annoyed.

FAQs

How to use "irate" in a sentence?

You can use "irate" to describe someone who is very angry. For example, "The "irate customer" demanded a refund." or "The "irate mob" protested in the streets".

What can I say instead of "irate"?

You can use alternatives like "furious", "enraged", or "infuriated" depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance of anger.

Which is correct, "irate" or "irritated"?

"Irate" and "irritated" both describe feelings of displeasure, but "irate" indicates a higher level of anger than "irritated". "Irate" suggests intense anger, while "irritated" implies mild annoyance.

What's the difference between "irate" and "outraged"?

While both express anger, "irate" focuses on the feeling of anger itself, while "outraged" implies anger stemming from a perceived injustice or violation of moral principles.