OW-trayj
/ˈaʊˌtɹeɪdʒ/
outrage is pronounced OW-trayj (/ˈaʊˌtɹeɪdʒ/). Outrage refers to a strong, intense emotion of anger or shock caused by something perceived as unjust or offensive. It can also describe an action or event that arouses such feelings. In everyday use, outrage often implies a moral stance and is typically stronger than mere annoyance, bordering on outrageate in ethical discussions.
Outrage refers to a strong, intense emotion of anger or shock caused by something perceived as unjust or offensive. It can also describe an action or event that arouses such feelings. In everyday use, outrage often implies a moral stance and is typically stronger than mere annoyance, bordering on outrageate in ethical discussions.
Correction tips: Use minimal pairs to lock the /t/ and /dʒ/ contrasts, exaggerate the stop before /r/ in isolation, then rejoin to normal speed.
"The decision sparked public outrage over perceived inequities."
"She expressed outrage at the dismissal without a fair hearing."
"Farmers reacted with outrage after the policy was announced."
Pronounce it as OUT-rayj, with two syllables and primary stress on the first: /ˈaʊt.reɪdʒ/. Start with the diphthong /aʊ/ as in 'out', then /treɪ/ where the 'eɪ' glides to an /dʒ/ (/dʒ/ like 'j' in 'judge'). The final sound is /dʒ/. You’ll want a quick, light 't' + 'r' onset, then a precise 'ray' vowel and a voiced affricate /dʒ/ in the final syllable. Listening to native samples helps you match the rhythm and placement.
Two common errors: (1) Misplacing the /t/ and blending into a slower /t/ or dropping it: say /ˈaʊt.reɪdʒ/ with a clear /t/ release before /r/. (2) Slurring the final /dʒ/ into an /ʒ/ or /dʒ/ being too soft: ensure a crisp, voiced affricate /dʒ/ without losing preceding /eɪ/. Practice by isolating /treɪdʒ/ and then linking to the preceding /aʊ/. Correct by exaggerating the /t/ and finishing with a strong /dʒ/.
All three share /ˈaʊt.reɪdʒ/; the key differences lie in rhoticity and vowel quality. US and AU speakers tend to maintain the /r/ sound in the second syllable, giving /r/ before /eɪ/. UK speakers may have a shorter /ɪ/ in some unstressed contexts and a more non-rhotic tendency in certain dialects, but most contemporary UK pronunciation keeps /r/ before a vowel, yielding /ˈaʊt.reɪdʒ/ with slight vowel sharpening. The main contrast is subtle rhotic presence and the clarity of the /dʒ/ at the end.
The challenge is the two-part onset: a strong /aʊ/ diphthong followed by a clear /t/ and an affricate /dʒ/. Many learners mispronounce by either merging /t.reɪdʒ/ into a single syllable or softening the /dʒ/ to /ʒ/. Focus on maintaining a crisp /t/ release, a precise /r/ (if rhotic), and a distinct /dʒ/ at the end. Use slow practice to separate the /aʊ/ from /treɪdʒ/ and mirror native timing.
No letters are silent in standard American/British/Australian English for 'outrage.' Each of the letters O-U-T-R-A-G-E contributes to the syllables and sounds: /ˈaʊt.reɪdʒ/. Some learners might momentarily omit the /t/ or combine sounds, but in careful speech the /t/ is released clearly before the /r/ and /dʒ/.
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Tips: Practice with mouth positions using IPA cues; keep lips rounded for /aʊ/ and crisp for /t/, then the /r/ (if rhotic) before /eɪ/ and finalize with /dʒ/.
Outrage comes from the French outrager, meaning to disrupt or to offend deeply, which itself derives from sur- (beyond) + rager (to offend, related to rage). The English noun outraged as a state of extreme anger emerged in the 17th–18th centuries, initially describing a blow to moral sensibilities and later expanding to describe acts or expressions provoking such anger. The root idea centers on exceeding lawful or accepted bounds, provoking a strong moral or emotional response. The word has remained robust in political, social, and media discourse, frequently collocating with terms like public, moral, and outrage over. First known use in English appears in the early modern period, with the sense crystallizing in sensational journalism and formal rhetoric by the 18th century, aligning with Enlightenment debates about justice and propriety. Over time, outrage has retained its charge as a communal, judgment-laden reaction to perceived wrongs, often fueling collective action and debate.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "outrage" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "outrage" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "outrage"
-age sounds
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