what an outrage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what an outrage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express strong disapproval or indignation about a situation or event. Example: "After hearing about the unfair treatment of the workers, I couldn't help but exclaim, what an outrage!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Obama engages in electoral politics — what an outrage!

The New Yorker

What an outrage, dictating to us that our bankers can't rob how much they like off us.

Independent

What an outrage that the police and other agencies changed evidence and lied to cover their own failings.

The Guardian - Sport

It may be flawed – weak libretto, slow pace – but what an outrage that a work of such ineffable gorgeousness has just been lying around, heard once in a blue moon!

Independent

Here's hoWhat

Huffington Post

What an outrage, what a failure of leadership.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

What protects an outrage are disguises, circumlocutions, and euphemisms – "enhanced interrogation techniques" for torture, "collateral damage" for killing civilians, "the war on terror" for the war against you and me and our Bill of Rights.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a worthwhile endeavor to remind ourselves what an exceptional thing moral outrage is, how anger spurs action, and how the netroots used righteous anger to lay the groundwork for a Democratic resurgence.

Huffington Post

Left unplanned, this would cause what in Outrage, a travelogue from Southampton to Carlisle, the writer Ian Nairn called "subtopia", a thoughtless mass of indeterminate detritus strewn unthinkingly across arterial roads.

The Guardian - Opinion

Above all there is its deployment of sweary British slang to remind us, in this era of manufactured outrage, what a truly great rant should look like: rude, energetic and spinning off now and then into jubilant absurdity.

The New York Times - Books

He added, "I thought what she did was an outrage, and she should be ashamed".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what an outrage" to express strong disapproval or indignation when you feel something is morally wrong or completely unacceptable. It's best used in situations where you want to convey a sense of shock or moral offense.

Common error

Avoid using "what an outrage" for minor inconveniences or trivial matters. This phrase is best reserved for situations that genuinely evoke strong moral disapproval, not everyday frustrations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what an outrage" functions as an exclamatory expression used to convey strong disapproval, indignation, or moral offense. It is typically used to express a spontaneous reaction to something considered shocking or unacceptable, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what an outrage" is an exclamatory phrase used to express strong disapproval and indignation. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and can be employed in a variety of contexts, particularly in News & Media. While powerful, it should be reserved for situations that genuinely warrant a strong reaction. Remember to consider the tone and formality of your writing when choosing to use this phrase. Alternatives like "what a scandal" or "how appalling" may be more appropriate depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how outrageous

Direct synonym, simply changes the article's position.

what a disgrace

Emphasizes the shamefulness of the situation.

what a scandal

Focuses on the disreputable nature of the situation.

how appalling

Highlights the shocking and offensive nature of the event.

this is infuriating

Highlights the anger-inducing nature of the situation.

that's unacceptable

States a firm rejection of the behavior or situation.

it's simply not on

Expresses strong disapproval, particularly in British English.

that's atrocious

Emphasizes the terrible or brutal quality of the situation.

that's beyond the pale

Indicates that something is completely unacceptable or inappropriate.

what an abomination

Emphasizes the repulsiveness of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "what an outrage" in a sentence?

Use "what an outrage" as an exclamation to express strong disapproval or indignation. For example, "What an outrage that they would treat their employees this way!"

What's a less intense alternative to "what an outrage"?

If you want to express mild disapproval, you could use phrases like "that's disappointing" or "that's unfortunate" instead of "what an outrage".

Is it okay to use "what an outrage" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "what an outrage" is somewhat informal. In formal writing, consider using more restrained expressions of disapproval, such as "this is unacceptable" or "this is deeply concerning".

What are some synonyms for "what an outrage" that convey a similar level of disapproval?

Similar phrases include "what a scandal", "what a disgrace", or "how outrageous".