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Expressing your anger in English Posted by on Dec 8, 2015 in English Vocabulary

Image by Josh Janssen on Flickr.com is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Image by Josh Janssen on Flickr.com is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Nothing is worse than being really angry about something and not being able to express yourself and your anger; that is, not having the words to say what you want. Well, if that has ever happened to you while you were speaking English it shouldn’t happen again after you read this post. Today I am going to introduce you to vocabulary to use when you are angry.

Let’s start with some different words in English that all mean the same thing as “angry.” I’ve listed these synonyms with anger below in order from the least strong to most strong. So, if you are looking for a word to say you are ‘a little angry’ pick one near the top of the list and if you are looking for a word to say you are ‘really really angry’, choose a word from the bottom of the list.

mad
irritated
indignant
furious
incensed
livid
outraged

Here are some examples of how to use these words.
I’m so mad right now I can’t talk to you.
I get so irritated by Jill I can’t be around her.
Thomas is indignant that he was not given the raise he was expecting.
My mother was furious when we broke the window while playing ball in the house.
I’m so incensed I can’t think straight!
You should be outraged that the person who hit your car just drove away.
Sammy was livid when he found out his computer was stolen.

Here are some phrasal verbs you can also use when you are angry. They all mean, ‘that makes me angry.’

That really gets to me.
That ticks me off.
That pisses me off.

You can also you use these phrasal verbs to explain your anger:

It gets to me when…
It really ticks me off when you do…
It pisses me off when…

And finally here are some words or phrases you can say when you are just too angry to talk about what is bothering you:

Damn it.
Shove off. – This means something like ‘go away.’
sh*t, f*ck, or any other swear word in English
For f*ck’s sake! – This is an expression of disbelief and anger.
You have got to sh*tting me! – This is another expression of both disbelief and anger.

I hope that you don’t get angry that often and need to use this new vocabulary, but now you will know it when you feel the need to use it.

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About the Author: Gabriele

Hi there! I am one of Transparent Language's ESL bloggers. I am a 32-year-old native English speaker who was born and raised in the United States. I am living in Washington, DC now, but I have lived all over the US and also spent many years living and working abroad. I started teaching English as a second language in 2005 after completing a Master's in Applied Linguists and a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults' (CELTA). Since that time I have taught ESL in the United States at the community college and university level. I have also gone on to pursue my doctorate in psychology and now I also teach courses in psychology. I like to stay connected to ESL learners around the world through Transparent Languages ESL Blog. Please ask questions and leave comments on the blog and I will be sure to answer them.


Comments:

  1. ammad:

    you can define english rigmarole simply . Will you teach me on line if you have no issue. I’m 50 years old male from Pakistan . My native language is Urdu. Thanks

  2. Aarav arya:

    Hey, what does it take to get more fluent while speaking or messaging? How to get rid of the moment when I struggle to find some phrases or way to say things?