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as in shrew
a bad-tempered scolding woman tradition has it that Socrates' wife was such a fury that the philosopher's death sentence by the authorities was not an entirely unwelcome fate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun fury differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fury are anger, indignation, ire, rage, and wrath. While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," rage and fury suggest loss of self-control from violence of emotion.

shook with rage
could not contain his fury

When might anger be a better fit than fury?

The synonyms anger and fury are sometimes interchangeable, but anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.

tried to hide his anger

In what contexts can indignation take the place of fury?

The words indignation and fury are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, indignation stresses righteous anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful.

a comment that caused general indignation

When is it sensible to use ire instead of fury?

The meanings of ire and fury largely overlap; however, ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.

cheeks flushed with ire

When would wrath be a good substitute for fury?

In some situations, the words wrath and fury are roughly equivalent. However, wrath is likely to suggest a desire or intent to punish or get revenge.

I feared her wrath if I was discovered

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fury Nina’s heart continues its triple beat, but the initial fright now fury. Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2025 Hell hath no fury like a Canuck scorned. Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 8 Aug. 2025 Yet, despite inflicting relentless pain, their fury remains unquenched. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025 Outcry rang out in Israel over the weekend after Hamas released video appearing to show a visibly gaunt Israeli hostage alongside images of emaciated babies as international fury grows over the rising deaths of Palestinians from starvation under Israel's offensive and crippling aid restrictions. Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 3 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fury
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fury
Noun
  • The shrew is one of these mammals, according to the study.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2025
  • The elephant shrew genus Macroscelides was the sole exception, shifting to omnivory after adopting myrmecophagy during the Eocene.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, ArsTechnica, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Marvel fans went into a frenzy.
    Zack Sharf, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
  • An extension of the Black Hole, Raider Nation gathers at this spot and turns it into a football frenzy on Sundays, or whenever the Raiders suit up.
    Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In the wake of a transfer deadline that brought anger and worry from many supporters, the Wolves chairman gave an interview of more than half an hour to the club’s in-house television channel.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Others echo the same sentiment, stressing that his anger is more than understandable.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers called for tighter gun control laws on Wednesday hours after a shooting rampage at a Minnesota Catholic church left two dead and several wounded.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • One of the shooters in the 1999 Columbine School shooting posted the band’s lyrics on his website prior to the rampage.
    Claudia Lauer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • When big gatherings of police and federal agents suddenly show up in residential areas, crowds often meet them with cell phone cameras, righteous indignation and insults.
    Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Seven chapters in descending order structure the movie’s story as a countdown of hiccups, indignations, and even a hallucination, a day each in a pivotal week that will determine Teresa’s destiny.
    Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • For me, this film was more about the duel between the stillness in the in the internal rage and that wanting to percolate outwards.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 29 Aug. 2025
  • This is quite the rarity, and will delight executives at the streamer at a time when subscriber retention is all-encompassing and co-viewing is all the rage.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The New York Yankees are suddenly the hottest team in the American League, and the Chicago White Sox have become the latest team to feel their wrath.
    Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Some people work out at the gym, while others start doomscrolling, meanwhile, those with competing priorities and tight deadlines often raise their voices at those who don't deserve your wrath.
    Dr. Cynthia J. Young, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • That discontent over economic hardship has morphed into a broader outrage after a motorcycle taxi driver was reportedly killed during police action at a protest site last Thursday.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2025
  • The video went viral, sparking global outrage and bringing attention to both their business and private lives.
    Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fury. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.

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