These words alike mean "to anger," "to put in a rage," "to infuriate," "to cause to be angry." "A woman is enraged when she is provoked to violent anger." "Susan was incensed by the rude remark of her companion." Incensed has these characteristics: (1) it suggests greater dignity and self-restraint than does enraged; (2) it implies a greater degree of provocation than does enraged; (3) it is used to refer to someone toward whose anger we feel sympathetic.
Dictionary of problem words and expressions. Harry Shaw. 1975.