we were outraged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were outraged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express strong feelings of anger or indignation about a particular situation or event. Example: "After hearing the news about the unfair treatment of the workers, we were outraged and demanded immediate action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

We were outraged.

The New York Times

"We were outraged," Ali told the Associated Press.

The Guardian - Film

We were outraged by the killing of Natalia on 15 July.

The Guardian

As a community we were outraged they were being treated with such disregard by both the Met and the IPCC.

The Guardian - Opinion

We were outraged by the falsehoods and inflammatory anti-Jewish remarks of Sheik Muhammad Gemeaha, former imam of the New York Islamic Cultural Center, in an interview he reportedly gave recently after moving back to Cairo (news article, Oct. 23).

The New York Times

The New Yorker, July 17 , 1926 P. 7We were outraged about subway strike and breaking of contracts entered into by employers and employed, but touched by protests of motormen and switchmen.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

there are people in our media that need to get a life August 13 , 2013Mark Textor (@markatextor) this outrage is even more outrageous than the last twitter outrage: we are outraged.

The Guardian

"We are outraged at what occurred," Mr. Green said.

The New York Times

"We are outraged and heartbroken over today's verdict.

The Guardian

We are outraged that we were not given the opportunity to contest these allegations in court".

The New York Times

"Senator, we are outraged you have wasted our money," the advertisement's narrator intones.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were outraged" to express a strong, collective feeling of anger or indignation about something considered unjust or wrong. Ensure the context clearly explains the cause of the outrage.

Common error

Avoid using "we were outraged" when expressing personal feelings or opinions not shared by a group. Make sure the outrage is a collective sentiment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were outraged" functions as a declarative statement expressing a collective feeling of strong indignation or anger. It conveys a shared emotional response to a specific event, action, or situation. This is consistent with Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were outraged" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a collective sentiment of strong anger and indignation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's frequently used in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, conveying a sense of moral offense and a call for action. When using this phrase, ensure that the outrage is genuinely shared by a group and that the context clearly justifies the intensity of the emotion. While there are many alternatives, such as "we felt indignant" or "we were appalled", each carries slightly different nuances. Ultimately, selecting the most appropriate phrase depends on the specific context and the desired impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we felt indignant

Focuses on the feeling of injustice or unfairness.

we were appalled

Emphasizes shock and disgust in addition to outrage.

we were infuriated

Highlights extreme anger and rage.

we were incensed

Indicates a state of great anger and indignation.

we took exception

A more formal way of expressing disagreement and resentment.

we were resentful

Focuses on a feeling of bitterness and injustice.

we disapproved strongly

A more subdued way of expressing disagreement and disapproval.

we were vexed

Suggests annoyance and frustration.

we expressed our displeasure

A formal way of communicating dissatisfaction.

we were aggravated

Highlights a feeling of irritation and annoyance.

FAQs

How can I use "we were outraged" in a sentence?

Use "we were outraged" to express a collective strong feeling of anger or indignation about a particular situation. For example, "We were outraged by the company's decision to cut employee benefits".

What's a less intense alternative to "we were outraged"?

If you want to express a milder form of disapproval, you could use phrases like "we were disappointed" or "we were concerned".

Can I use "I was outraged" instead of "we were outraged"?

Yes, if you are expressing your personal feelings. "We were outraged" indicates a collective sentiment, while "I was outraged" indicates a personal feeling of outrage.

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

"We were outraged" suggests a stronger sense of injustice and moral offense than "we were angry". Outrage implies a violation of principles or rights.