tears of anger

USAGE SUMMARY

"tears of anger" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express a heightened emotion in response to something negative. Example sentence: She felt the tears of anger streaming down her cheeks as her boss delivered a harsh criticism.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Caballeros ran his hand through his white hair, then wiped tears of anger from his face.

The Guardian

I read Mukhtaran Bibi's story with tears of anger in my eyes.

The New York Times

"Tears of anger, tears of happiness and tears of relief (sat on 7.20 train to London, so they're public tears!).

The Guardian

"Tears of sorrow were mixed with tears of anger," says Thiago Dezan, who was responsible for live-streaming the afternoon for Mídia Ninja.

The Guardian

After winning the leadership in September, the brothers hugged on stage, but behind the scenes the atmosphere was toxic: David's wife, Louise Shackelton, wept tears of anger and her fury remains.

Independent

There are tears of anger, grief and loss of innocence.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

He'd just burst into tears; spouts of anger or sadness," she said.

Huffington Post

Be prepared for all kinds of reaction, from tears to anger and even immediate acceptance.

Independent

There were tears and shows of anger, as Ms Rousseff put up an epic fight against what she and her supporters have consistently called a "coup", but her many critics described as the logical outcome of a long, constitutional process aimed at clearing the graft and unaccountability that have too long dominated Brazilian politics.

The Guardian - Opinion

For Karen Pace, torn by feelings of anger and sorrow, one question stands out.

The New York Times

Children cry all kinds of tears - of laughter, boredom, anger and pain - and they are all different.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tears of anger" to vividly portray a character's or person's intense emotional state when they are feeling angry or wronged. It adds emotional depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "tears of anger" when simple sadness is meant. The phrase specifies a particular kind of intense, rage-fueled emotion, not general sorrow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tears of anger" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It describes a specific emotional state, where tears are the physical manifestation of anger. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correctly formed and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

HuffPost

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tears of anger" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable expression, indicating intense emotional distress fueled by anger. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and effective phrase. Although less frequent than simpler expressions of sadness, it finds its place in news, media, and even scientific contexts when a more descriptive account of someone’s emotional state is required. It helps capture the emotional state in creative writing, adding emotional depth to the writing. By avoiding using this phrase when expressing simple sadness, writers can convey more accurate ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rage-filled tears

Uses a compound adjective to directly link the tears with rage.

angry tears

Reverses the structure while retaining the core meaning of anger expressed through tears.

tears of outrage

Replaces "anger" with "outrage", emphasizing a sense of moral indignation.

furious weeping

Emphasizes the intensity of the emotion with a stronger verb.

seething tears

Uses "seething" to intensify the anger underlying the tears.

resentful tears

Highlights the aspect of resentment contributing to the emotional expression.

frustration tears

Focuses on the frustration aspect of the anger.

wrathful tears

A more formal and intense alternative, using "wrathful" to describe the tears.

indignant sobs

Replaces "tears" with "sobs" to emphasize the physical manifestation of the emotion, adding the nuance of indignation.

bitter tears

Highlights the bitterness associated with the anger.

FAQs

How can I use "tears of anger" in a sentence?

You can use "tears of anger" to describe a character's emotional reaction to injustice or frustration. For example, "Tears of anger streamed down her face as she listened to the unfair verdict."

What are some alternatives to "tears of anger"?

Alternatives include "angry tears", "furious weeping", or "rage-filled tears" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "tears of anger" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider your audience. In highly formal or scientific writing, a more neutral or descriptive phrase might be preferable. However, in journalistic or creative writing, "tears of anger" can be effective.

What's the difference between "tears of anger" and "tears of sadness"?

"Tears of anger" specifically indicate that the tears are caused by anger, frustration, or outrage. "Tears of sadness" imply sorrow, grief, or unhappiness. The emotional origin is the key distinction.