Infuriate: meaning, definitions and examples

Infuriate is best used in situations where someone becomes extremely angry, often to the point of being uncontrollable.

• His rude comment about the team infuriated the coach
• The unfair decision infuriated the crowd

Enrage is used to describe a situation that results in extreme anger, often more sudden and intense than infuriate.

• The irresponsible driver on the freeway enraged everyone
• His lies enrage her every time

Incense is formal and indicates a deep-seated fury, often used in situations where someone is morally or deeply offended.

• The disrespectful remarks about her religion incensed her
• The unfair treatment of the employees incensed the union

Anger is a common term used in everyday language to describe when someone is upset or mad about something.

• The constant noise from the neighbors angers him
• She was angered by his lack of respect

Irritate is used for mild or moderate annoyance rather than full-blown anger.

• The sound of the dripping faucet irritates him
• Her habit of interrupting people irritates everyone

Provoke is used when someone's actions intentionally or unintentionally cause anger or an emotional response.

• His teasing provoked her to tears
• The politician's speech provoked a strong reaction from the audience

Used when something makes someone extremely angry, to the point of rage.

• The customer's rude behavior infuriated the waiter.
• Losing the final match due to a technicality infuriated the coach.

Used when someone is made to feel annoyed and frustrated to the point of being exasperated.

• The child's constant questions exasperated the teacher.
• The repeated delays exasperated the passengers at the airport.

Used when something intensifies an already existing problem or irritates someone further.

• Loud noise aggravated her headache.
• His constant interruptions aggravated her during the meeting.

Used when something or someone causes slight irritation or discomfort.

• The buzzing fly annoyed him while he was trying to sleep.
• Her habit of clicking her pen repeatedly annoyed her colleagues.

Used when something causes slight but persistent irritation, often in a subtle or ongoing manner.

• His habit of leaving dirty dishes in the sink irked his roommate.
• The constant humming from the air conditioner irked her all day.