furor

noun

fu·​ror ˈfyu̇r-ˌȯr 

-ər

1

: an angry or maniacal fit : rage

… furor of the god of war.

—Henry Fuseli

2

: fury sense 4

3

: a fashionable craze : vogue

… her singing … made her the furor of Paris overnight.

—Janet Flanner

4

a

: furious or hectic activity

The fatal shot … caused great excitement, confusion, and furor among the raiders.

—Joe S. Sando

b

: an outburst of public excitement or indignation : uproar

Amid the furor, the senator continues to deny the allegations.

Synonyms of furor

• commotion
• stir
• disturbance
• fuss
• turmoil
• hurry

Examples of furor in a Sentence

The book caused a furor across the country.

Amid a public furor, the senator continues to deny the allegations.

Recent Examples on the Web

News to Know If there was some new big furor involving the WNBA this weekend, it was overshadowed by the league’s joyful celebration of its 30th season. — Matt Piper, New York Times, 26 July 2026

Kimmel addressed the remarks and the furor around them in his first telecast following the suspension. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 15 July 2026

Folarin Balogun, the striker whose 11th-hour reinstatement Sunday by FIFA unleashed an international furor and much anti-Yankee sentiment abroad, created a free kick with a fine hold-up play. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026

Hegseth denied any impropriety but the furor prompted congressional scrutiny of how and why the military was pursuing the campaign. — Marie-Rose Sheinerman, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French & Latin; Middle French, from Latin, from furere to rage

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for furor

• furore

Kids Definition

furor

noun

fu·​ror ˈfyu̇r-ˌȯr 

-ˌōr

1

: fury sense 1, rage

2

: an outburst of excitement : uproar