enrage - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
enrage Word Meanings
- to make someone very angry
- to provoke outrage
- to incite strong emotion
enrage Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
enrage Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ɪnˈreɪdʒ/
US
/ɪnˈreɪdʒ/
enrage Word Etymology
Root: 'en-' (cause to be) + 'rage' (intense anger). Historical origin: Latin 'inræs' (to be enraged) → Old French 'enrager' → English 'enrage'. Memory image: Picture a bull in a china shop, furious and smashing everything in its path, representing the uncontrolled fury one feels when enraged.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Enrage means to make someone extremely angry or to provoke intense anger. It suggests a rise from irritation to furious emotion and may carry a sense of losing control. In everyday English, enrage describes actions that trigger strong anger in others (an insult, a betrayal, a shocking injustice) or feelings that someone experiences when provoked. The verb is more forceful than 'anger' or 'annoy,' and it is commonly used with active subjects: 'The manager enraged the workers by cutting benefits,' or in a passive construction: 'He was enraged by the news.' The memory image of a bull in a china shop captures the idea of uncontrolled fury that enrage conveys.
Usage Reminders
- Use enrage for strong, morally charged anger.
- Avoid overusing it in casual, everyday irritation.
- Notice it often pairs with 'by' or 'at' to show source of anger.
- Prefer calmer verbs like anger or upset for milder situations.
- Remember it is transitive and can be passive: He was enraged by the verdict.
Common Misconceptions
- Enrage and anger are interchangeable in all contexts.
- Enrage only describes someone else’s anger, never your own.
- Using enrage implies a moral judgment that doesn’t apply in neutral reporting.
- Enrage cannot describe anger at non-human things.
- The noun form enrager is commonly used in everyday English.
Thinking Differences
In English, enrage is a deliberately strong verb that often carries a moral dimension; speakers expect a visible, intense reaction and may prefer it over milder words to emphasize outrage.
Learning Tips
- Practice with both active and passive constructions.
- Pair enrage with direct causes: insult, betrayal, injustice.
- Compare with milder options: anger, irritate, upset.
- Use in formal writing to convey moral outrage when appropriate.
- Record and listen to pronunciation: emphasize /ɪnˈreɪdʒ/ sound pattern.
- Notice collocations: enraged by, enraged at.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What does the word 'enrage' mean?
A.To make someone very angry
B.To soothe someone
C.To bring happiness
D.To confuse someone
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses 'enrage' correctly?
A.The kind words did not enrage her.
B.The beautiful scenery will enrage you with its charm.
C.His careless actions seemed to enrage the entire team.
D.She decided to enrage a peaceful protest.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'enrage'?
A.Calm
B.Befriend
C.Annoy
D.Soothe
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'enrage'?
A.Excite
B.Disturb
C.Calm
D.Irritate
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context where someone might feel very angry?
A.When someone tells a joke that makes people laugh
B.When they receive a surprise gift
C.When an unfair decision in a game is made against them
D.When they see an inspiring performance
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