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Infuriate: meaning, definitions and examples

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infuriate

 

[ɪnˈfjʊərɪeɪt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

in a heated argument

To infuriate means to make someone extremely angry or annoyed, typically as a result of a deliberate action. It is a strong emotion that can lead to intense reactions.

Synonyms

anger, enrage, incense, irritate, provoke.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
infuriate

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

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

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

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

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

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

Examples of usage

  • The rude comments infuriated her.
  • His behavior infuriated his colleagues.
  • The constant delays infuriated the customers.
Context #2 | Verb

in a competitive situation

To infuriate can also mean to greatly provoke or annoy someone in a competitive situation, such as a game or a sport, leading to heightened emotions.

Synonyms

aggravate, annoy, exasperate, irk.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
infuriate

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.
exasperate

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.
aggravate

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.
annoy

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.
irk

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.

Examples of usage

  • The referee's decision infuriated the fans.
  • His aggressive playing style infuriated his opponents.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from Latin 'infuriatus', which means 'enraged', linked to 'furor' meaning rage.
  • It has been used in English since the 16th century, evolving to mean causing anger or extreme annoyance.
  • Other words with similar roots include 'fury' and 'furious', showing a strong connection to feelings of anger.

Psychology

  • Getting infuriated often leads to increased heart rate and adrenaline, preparing the body for a fight-or-flight response.
  • Psychological studies show that prolonged periods of anger can affect mental health, leading to stress or anxiety.
  • Infuriation can often trigger impulsive behaviors, causing people to react without thinking carefully.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, characters often get infuriated during intense confrontations, demonstrating how anger escalates drama.
  • Famous songs and literature frequently use the theme of infuriation to explore relationships and conflicts.
  • Comedic shows often exaggerate character reactions to absurd situations, highlighting how quickly someone can get infuriated.

Social interactions

  • Infuriating someone can happen through miscommunication, showing how important clear conversations are.
  • Everyday situations, like forgetting an important event, can infuriate friends or family, impacting relationships.
  • Conflict resolution strategies often emphasize understanding triggers of infuriation to maintain healthy interactions.

Translations

Translations of the word "infuriate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 enfurecer

🇮🇳 गुस्सा दिलाना

🇩🇪 wütend machen

🇮🇩 membuat marah

🇺🇦 розлютити

🇵🇱 rozgniewać

🇯🇵 激怒させる

🇫🇷 exaspérer

🇪🇸 enfurecer

🇹🇷 çileden çıkarmak

🇰🇷 격분시키다

🇸🇦 يثير الغضب

🇨🇿 rozčílit

🇸🇰 rozzúriť

🇨🇳 激怒

🇸🇮 razjeziti

🇮🇸 gera reiðan

🇰🇿 ашуландыру

🇬🇪 გაბრაზება

🇦🇿 hirsindən çıxartmaq

🇲🇽 enfurecer

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,589 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.