outraged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outraged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong feeling of anger or indignation about something perceived as unjust or wrong. Example: "The community was outraged by the decision to close the local library."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The annexation of the 950 acres of the West Bank just a few months ago has outraged me more than anything else in my political life.

The Economist

What's unusual about the New Jersey bar case is that the plaintiffs are not the familiar type in these cases: motorists or stop-and-frisk victims outraged by what they say are invasive searches and a willful disregard by police for privacy rights.

The Guardian

We've been outraged for Cezar when he couldn't carry the day despite clearly bringing everything Eurovision could have required of him.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Fans of the novel were outraged that a similarly bold cover has not been used to mark the 50th anniversary.

The Guardian - Books

Although the Hillsborough Accord outraged unionists in the north and led to a spike in loyalist violence, it was never his intention to push that community further into a corner.

The Guardian

Sports journalists were outraged last year amid suspicions that Newcastle United had done an exclusive access deal with the Sun which stopped other media organisations from getting access to players.

The Guardian

But being an uncompromising modern artist living in a small provincial town is a risky business, and the locals were outraged when Schiele was seen drawing a naked Wally in the garden of the house he was renting.

The Guardian - Arts

Warchus outraged purists as he excised the opening ghost scene in favour of Hamlet's childhood home movies, wiped Fortinbras and Norway off the map, and treated famous speeches such as "To be or not to be" as movable pieces of furniture, transplanting them from one place in the text to another.

The Guardian

Castlederg has a nationalist majority but a large Protestant-unionist majority, and the latter are outraged over Sinn Fein's decision to hold a "Tyrone Volunteer Day" in the town on 11 August.

The Guardian

Christopher Darke, general secretary of Balpa, added: "Pilots, cabin crew and passengers will be upset if not outraged at today's outcome of the Peter Buck case.

The Guardian

Jayaben's nationwide tour encouraged workers from all over Britain, outraged that the strikers had been sacked, to join the picket line outside the factory.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider whether a synonym like "indignant" or "appalled" might be more precise depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Common error

While "outraged" is appropriate in many situations, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation or informal writing where a milder term like "annoyed" or "upset" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "outraged" is as a past participle or adjective, describing a state of feeling intense anger and indignation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s often used to express a strong negative reaction to perceived injustice or wrongdoing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outraged" is a very common and grammatically correct term used to express strong indignation and anger, typically in response to perceived injustice. As Ludwig AI highlights, it functions primarily as an adjective or past participle, predominantly found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the nuance and register of synonyms like "indignant" or "appalled" for greater precision. Avoid overusing "outraged" in very informal settings, opting for milder alternatives when appropriate. Being a popular term, "outraged" is consistently used in high-quality sources such as The Guardian, The Economist and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

infuriated

Emphasizes the act of being made extremely angry.

indignant

Implies a more formal and righteous anger, often due to perceived injustice.

furious

Suggests intense anger, potentially more volatile than "outraged".

appalled

Highlights a sense of shock and disgust in addition to anger.

incensed

Indicates a state of extreme anger and indignation.

disgusted

Highlights a strong feeling of revulsion and disapproval.

exasperated

Conveys a sense of frustration and annoyance alongside anger.

resentful

Suggests a lingering feeling of bitterness and anger.

aggrieved

Implies a feeling of being wronged or unfairly treated.

bitter

Reflects a deep-seated feeling of anger and disappointment.

FAQs

How do you use "outraged" in a sentence?

"Outraged" is typically used to describe someone's emotional reaction to something considered morally wrong or deeply unfair. For example: "The community was "outraged" by the council's decision."

What words can I use instead of "outraged"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "indignant", "furious", or "appalled". Each word carries a slightly different nuance in intensity and tone.

Is it correct to say "I am outrage" instead of "I am outraged"?

No, "I am outrage" is grammatically incorrect. "Outrage" is a noun, while "outraged" is the past participle of the verb "outrage" and functions as an adjective here. The correct form is "I am "outraged"".

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

"Angry" is a general term for feeling displeasure or antagonism. "Outraged" implies a specific kind of anger, one that is caused by something perceived as morally wrong, unfair, or unjust. Therefore, being "outraged" suggests a stronger moral dimension to the anger compared to simply being "angry".