sparked outrage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sparked outrage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that has caused strong feelings of anger or indignation among people. Example: "The controversial decision to cut funding for the arts sparked outrage among the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The incidents have sparked outrage in Australia.

The Guardian

The Azizabad raid sparked outrage within Afghanistan.

The New York Times

The Zoo column sparked outrage.

The Guardian

That sparked outrage from Labor.

The Guardian

Ali's name change sparked outrage and controversy.

The New York Times - Sports

The shooting sparked outrage among blacks.

The New York Times

But this time his jailing sparked outrage, not apathy.

The Economist

The photograph of Ms Gul sparked outrage on social media.

Independent

The claims have sparked outrage from victim support groups.

Independent

The move has also sparked outrage from the voluntary sector.

Independent

His comments sparked outrage among many, including Seddiq.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse; consider synonyms like "provoked", "triggered", or "incited" to add variety to your writing.

Common error

Ensure you accurately identify the source of the outrage. Avoid attributing the emotion to vague or unrelated factors, as this weakens your argument and confuses your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sparked outrage" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a specific action or event caused a strong negative emotional reaction. It directly links the cause and the resulting public anger, as Ludwig AI's examples confirm.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sparked outrage" is a common and correct way to describe an event that has caused widespread anger and indignation. As the Ludwig AI examples demonstrate, it is predominantly used in News & Media contexts to report on controversial issues. While alternatives such as "provoked outrage" or "incited fury" exist, "sparked outrage" effectively conveys the sudden and intense nature of the emotional response. When using the phrase, ensure that the cause of the outrage is clearly identified. Although the phrase is mostly employed in news, it can also appear in business documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provoked outrage

Replaces "sparked" with "provoked", emphasizing the instigation of the outrage.

ignited anger

Uses "ignited" instead of "sparked", highlighting the sudden and intense nature of the anger.

triggered a backlash

Shifts the focus to the negative reaction ("backlash") rather than the emotion itself.

caused public outcry

Emphasizes the public nature and expression of the outrage.

led to widespread condemnation

Focuses on the formal disapproval that followed the inciting event.

met with furious opposition

Highlights the strong resistance and disagreement encountered.

incited public fury

Similar to sparked outrage, yet it uses 'fury' instead of outrage which implies a more intense level of anger

generated considerable anger

Focuses on the creation of anger as a consequence of an event

stirred up resentment

Implies a deeper, more prolonged negative emotional response than immediate outrage.

fomented discontent

Suggests a deliberate action to create unhappiness and opposition.

FAQs

How can I use "sparked outrage" in a sentence?

Use "sparked outrage" to indicate that a particular event or action caused widespread anger or indignation. For example: "The company's new policy "sparked outrage" among employees."

What are some alternatives to "sparked outrage"?

You can use alternatives like "provoked outrage", "incited fury", or "triggered a backlash" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "sparked outrage" or "caused outrage"?

Both "sparked outrage" and "caused outrage" are grammatically correct. "Sparked" suggests a sudden and intense reaction, while "caused" is more general. Choose the word that best fits the specific context.

What's the difference between "sparked outrage" and "generated controversy"?

"Sparked outrage" indicates a strong emotional response of anger and indignation. "Generated controversy" suggests a public disagreement or debate, which may not necessarily involve strong emotions like outrage. The phrases aren't perfectly interchangeable.