German word

empören

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛmˈpøːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbbe outraged

Example

Die Bürger empören sich über die neue Regelung.

The citizens are outraged by the new regulation.

Illustration for empören (be outraged)

More examples

Eine provokative Bemerkung empörte viele Zuschauer.

A provocative remark outraged many viewers.

Core concept

A crowd rises against a rule it sees as morally wrong, voicing angry protest.

Common phrases

  • empören die Öffentlichkeit

    outrage the public

  • sich empören über eine Entscheidung

    be outraged by a decision

Similar words

entrüsten: Publicly show strong anger at something seen as unjust.
aufregen: Become upset and emotionally stirred by an event or someone's actions.
ärgern: Feel annoyed or angry over something minor.
verärgern: Make someone angry or annoyed.

Definition in German

mit Entrüstung reagieren; zeigen, dass etwas als moralisch empörend empfunden wird oder starken Ärger verursacht

Word origin

Empören continues Middle High German empören, linked to empor, 'upward', and its older idea of rising up in protest developed into the modern sense of moral outrage.

Usage tips

  • The reflexive pattern is sich über plus accusative, as in sich über eine Regelung empören; the non-reflexive verb can mean to outrage someone.

Other meanings

  • outrageverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word