Enraged

Enraged is an adjective describing a state of extreme anger or fury. It conveys heightened emotional arousal in which anger is intense enough to provoke aggressive acts, loud outbursts, or other impulsive behaviors. The term suggests a level of intensity beyond ordinary anger and is commonly used to describe both temporary emotional states and dramatic reactions in fiction or journalism.

Etymology: Enraged derives from the verb enrage, from Middle English enragen, via Old French enrager, meaning to inflame with anger or to provoke to rage.

Physiological and psychological aspects: Physiologically, rage can involve increased heart rate, adrenaline release, and heightened arousal; behaviorally, it can reduce rational deliberation and increase impulsive actions. In psychology, anger is a normal emotion, but enraged states may reflect acute stress or provocation. When rage becomes persistent or unmanageable, it can be associated with various clinical conditions or disorders, though enraged describes intensity rather than a diagnostic category.

Cultural usage: The term is commonly used in literature, journalism, and everyday language to describe characters or situations marked by extreme anger. It is also used as a title or descriptor for various works across music, film, and games, underscoring the thematic emphasis on intense anger or confrontation.

See also: anger, rage, fury.