sheer outrage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sheer outrage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong feeling of anger or indignation about a particular situation or event. Example: "The community expressed sheer outrage at the decision to close the local library without any prior notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

This week brought the frustration and sheer outrage over the NSA's spying programs to new heights.

The Guardian - Opinion

At his best, he breaks through the bad-taste barrier into a world of sheer outrage where no forbidden thought goes unspoken and where everything spoken is anarchically liberating.

The New Yorker

After all, I chose the fly, a spongy orange popper with a couple of feathers guaranteed to make a fish bite out of sheer outrage at its garish design.

The New York Times - Arts

Specifically, I and other writers, commentators, and GLBTQ luminaries; have expressed sheer outrage that Warren has compared homosexuals to pedophiles, outlawed them from joining his church, and instituted a systematic pattern of exclusion in beliefs and practices from his special "Saddleback brand" of Christianity.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

They were by far the biggest and bulkiest buildings that had ever been proposed for midtown; Sagalyn gasps at the sheer zoning outrage of it.

The New Yorker

At one stage last week, attempting to draw up a rough chronology to help myself cope with the sheer number of outrages, I became hopelessly confused.

The Guardian

But, more likely, it is down to the sheer depths of the outrage that was felt.

The Guardian - Sport

There were howls of outrage at the sheer thuggishness of it, and there were demands for an apology, but hardly a squeak to suggest the Mail should be banned from doing this sort of thing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Only two episodes in, the show has set off a wave of outrage, contempt and sheer mortification among parents in the world of private schools in New York, already no stranger to bad press.

The New York Times

None of the bodies belonged to the students, but the quantity of remains that emerged fomented outrage over the sheer magnitude of the country's missing.

Los Angeles Times

That's the problem with loud, white-led campaigns against racism in a nutshell – it's really fucking easy to say racism is a terrible thing and should be stamped out, but as soon as the lens gets turned on our own middle-class communities and schools we squeal with outrage at the sheer bloody cheek of it all.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer outrage" when you want to emphasize the unadulterated and intense nature of the anger felt about a situation. It adds weight and emotional impact to your writing.

Common error

While "sheer outrage" is impactful, avoid using it excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more nuanced and objective language, like "significant disapproval" or "strong disagreement", to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer outrage" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition to describe a strong feeling of anger or indignation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer outrage" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that effectively conveys a strong feeling of anger or indignation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While its usage is relatively rare, the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, consider the intensity you wish to express and the formality of your writing, as it may not always be appropriate for formal or academic settings. Alternatives such as "utter indignation" or "absolute fury" may be considered to fine-tune the specific nuance you wish to communicate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utter indignation

Focuses more on a formal expression of anger and displeasure.

absolute fury

Emphasizes intense anger and rage.

pure resentment

Highlights the bitterness and sense of injustice.

unmitigated fury

Stresses the absence of any mitigating factors for the anger.

complete exasperation

Captures the feeling of being extremely annoyed and frustrated.

intense disapproval

Highlights strong disagreement and negative judgment.

extreme displeasure

Focuses on a high degree of dissatisfaction.

deep animosity

Expresses a strong feeling of dislike or hostility.

profound shock

Emphasizes the surprise and dismay associated with the outrage.

unrestrained anger

Implies anger that is not controlled or suppressed.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "sheer outrage" in a sentence?

Use "sheer outrage" to vividly convey a strong feeling of anger and indignation. For instance, "The public responded with "sheer outrage" to the proposed policy changes".

What are some alternatives to "sheer outrage" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "utter indignation", "absolute fury", or "intense disapproval". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is "sheer outrage" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "sheer outrage" might be too emotionally charged for some formal contexts. Consider using more neutral alternatives to maintain objectivity.

What distinguishes "sheer outrage" from simple "outrage"?

The adjective "sheer" emphasizes the intensity and purity of the feeling. "Sheer outrage" suggests a complete and unadulterated sense of anger, more so than just "outrage" alone.