Anger comes in many sizes and flavors. Some words tell how strong it is (vexed is mild; livid and irate are hot). Some tell why (indignant anger is about unfairness). Some describe a temper rather than a moment (irascible, petulant). And some name anger that has hardened over time into ill will (rancor, animosity, enmity).
Key idea
Latin ira means anger: you can hear it in irate and irascible. A moment of anger: irate, livid, wrath. A temper: irascible, petulant. Long-lasting ill will: rancor, animosity, enmity.
The ten words
Common mistake
indignant anger is about unfairness, not about any annoyance. livid first meant bluish, like a bruise; in everyday use it means furious.
| kind of anger | words |
|---|---|
| a flash of anger right now | irate, livid, wrath, vex (milder) |
| anger at unfairness | indignant |
| a quick or sulky temper | irascible, petulant |
| ill will that lasts | rancor, animosity, enmity |
Livid first meant bluish-gray, the color of a bruise. Most readers now take it to mean furious, and that is the sense tests expect; the color sense survives in older writing (a livid sky).