anger
noun (countable)
UK/ˈæŋ.ɡər/US/ˈæŋ.gɚ/
A strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility.
Example Sentences
His anger was evident in his clenched fists and furrowed brow.
She struggled to control her anger after hearing the disappointing news.
The constant noise became a source of anger for the residents.
Despite his anger, he remained composed during the heated discussion.
Her anger towards the situation made it difficult for her to think clearly.
They tried to soothe his anger by offering sincere apologies.
The teacher addressed the student's anger by having a calm and constructive conversation.
Anger can be a powerful motivator for change if managed properly.
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verb (transitive)
UK/əˈŋɛr/US/əˈŋɛr/
To make someone angry; to cause annoyance or hostility.
Example Sentences
His constant interruptions angered his colleagues during the meeting.
The unfair treatment angered her, leading her to speak out against the injustice.
She was angered by the rude comments and decided to address the issue directly.
The delays in the project angered the stakeholders, causing frustration and concern.
His dismissive attitude angered the team, undermining their efforts and morale.
The unfair rules angered the players, prompting them to demand a fair review.
Receiving negative feedback angered him, but he chose to use it constructively.
The sudden changes in policy angered many employees, leading to protests and calls for revision.
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How to Use
A powerful emotion sparked by perceived hurt, threat, or frustration.“Anger” arises when someone perceives an offense, frustration, or injustice, creating a surge of emotional intensity. Physiologically, anger can manifest through a quickened heart rate, tensed muscles, and a heightened sense of alertness. Psychologically, it often pushes people toward defensive or confrontational behavior, whether expressed through raised voices, clenched fists, or more subtle signs like sarcasm or passive-aggression. Understanding why anger flares is key to managing it. Often, anger results from unmet expectations, threats to personal boundaries, or unresolved stressors. To cope constructively, many recommend channeling this energy into calm communication or structured outlets—like exercise, journaling, or counseling—rather than acting on impulse. In relationships, communicating feelings before anger escalates can prevent misunderstandings and conflicts. Recognizing early signs—tension in the body, irritability, or racing thoughts—helps individuals pause, evaluate the situation, and choose more measured responses. In practical scenarios, controlling anger can preserve harmony at work, home, or social gatherings. If someone is intentionally provoking you, stepping away or using relaxation techniques (deep breathing, counting backward, shifting focus) can reduce the immediate charge. Over time, consistent self-awareness and self-regulation support healthier expressions of anger, maintaining respect for oneself and others. Ultimately, while anger is a natural human emotion, learning to manage it fosters personal well-being and more peaceful interactions.
Alternatives
Depending on context, you might use terms like “irritation,” “annoyance,” or “wrath,” each with varying intensity. “Irritation” suggests a mild exasperation, as if something is nagging at you without provoking full-blown anger. “Annoyance” implies a level of frustration that can still be addressed calmly. “Wrath” and “fury” convey a much stronger, almost overwhelming sense of rage, often accompanied by dramatic outbursts. “Resentment” adds a long-term or passive dimension to anger, lingering beneath the surface if left unresolved. If you’re discussing situations where a person is upset or provoked, “outrage” may fit, pointing to anger mixed with shock or moral indignation. When temper is implied, “rage” signals an explosive form of anger, highlighting possible loss of control. Selecting the right word clarifies how deeply upset someone is and whether the emotion is momentary or simmering over time. By choosing between milder synonyms (annoyance, irritation) and more extreme ones (rage, fury), you can fine-tune your description to match the context and emotional depth of a situation.
Writing
When writing about anger in formal or academic settings, your approach often involves describing triggers, effects, and coping strategies in an objective manner. For instance, you might say, “High levels of anger can impair judgment and communication, leading to conflict escalation.” Support such statements with data or references from psychology research, highlighting how chronic anger may contribute to issues like high blood pressure or strained relationships.In narratives—fiction or nonfiction—depicting anger helps build tension or reveal character flaws. Show the moment anger sparks: clenched jaws, trembling hands, harsh words. Rather than merely stating “He was angry,” evoke the emotion through visceral detail: “A crimson flush spread across his cheeks, and his voice trembled with barely contained fury.” This vivid approach immerses readers in the character’s experience, helping them feel the underlying emotional struggle. If you’re crafting an opinion piece or personal essay, you can reflect on your own anger, exploring its roots and transformations. For example, “I felt a surge of anger when confronted with my past mistakes—an uncomfortable nudge to seek self-improvement.” By combining introspection with descriptive language, you convey complexity and growth, showing how anger shapes personal journeys.
Casual Conversation
In everyday talk, people describe feeling annoyed, ticked off, or just plain mad. You might hear, “That kind of thing makes my blood boil!” or “I was so upset, I nearly lost my cool.” Often, anger emerges in minor frustrations—a stuck zipper, a rude driver cutting you off—but it can also flare into heated arguments at home or work. Friends might ask, “Why are you so angry?” if they sense tension brewing. Sharing lighthearted vents—“I can’t believe my phone died in the middle of an important call!”—lets you diffuse small bouts of anger quickly. However, if anger escalates, it can create uncomfortable scenes or lingering regrets. So, people might say, “I need to blow off some steam” before they can speak calmly. In casual settings, anger is typically short-lived, addressed with humor, apologies, or a quick break. Sometimes it’s enough to complain a bit, get empathy from friends, or shift focus to a positive activity. Accepting that anger is normal—then finding a quick way to move past it—often fosters a relaxed, forgiving atmosphere among close companions.
Etymology
“Anger” comes from the Old Norse word “angr,” meaning “grief” or “sorrow,” which eventually merged into Middle English. Over time, the connotation shifted from a general sense of distress to a sharper sense of hostile frustration or resentment. By the late Middle Ages, “anger” firmly signified annoyance or rage directed toward a specific source, rather than merely sad discontent. Historically, anger has been examined across disciplines—philosophers debated its moral implications, while early medical texts treated it as an imbalance of “humors” that disrupted mental and physical health. Across centuries, various cultures have devised rituals or guidelines for managing anger, from meditation practices in Eastern traditions to Christian teachings about temperance. Today, anger remains a focal point in psychology and self-help fields, linking emotional regulation to healthier living. The evolution of this term underlines humanity’s ongoing search to understand and handle one of our most potent and sometimes destructive emotions.
