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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 Mournful fatalism is the requisite emotion, even when mad fury would be more apt. Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025 Olympia’s fury in these opening scenes is terrifying. Noel Murray, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025 Moundville resident Craig Bott learned just how swiftly mother nature’s fury can act. Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2025 Since Trump’s re-election in November, Democrats’ fury has lacked a vessel, let alone a strategy. Philip Elliott, Time, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fury
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fury
Noun
  • The researchers went through hundreds of rodent and shrew carcasses to look for mpox infections and found one: the carcass of a squirrel that had died less than three months before the outbreak started.
    Lillian Ali, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
  • While native mammals span from the endemic Cretan lesser white-toothed shrew to the Blasius’s horseshoe bat, the preserve is perhaps best known for its high concentration of Cretan goats, a type of ruminant that serves as the official mascot of the park.
    Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The contrast between the stillness of figures in the tie cockpit and the frenzy of Mon’s movement on the dance floor also emphasizes the emotional toll of the rebellion.
    Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Gold prices just surged past $3,500 an ounce for the first time, with a perfect storm of stock market volatility, Fed policies, Trump’s tariffs, and trade war concerns sending the precious metal into a frenzy.
    Quartz Staff, Quartz, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to …boffo box office!
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The focal point of our anger and pain may not even know we are hurt.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Arsenal Forget the Premier League, Arsenal are on a rampage in Europe.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Future Abby meets her younger self in the hallway of the Fireflies hospital in Salt Lake City, just after Joel's rampage.
    EW.com, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Smithsonian, the vast complex of museums that millions of Americans visit every year to see Lincoln’s top hat, the Spirit of St. Louis, Harriet Tubman’s shawl, a moon rock, and Dorothy’s ruby slippers, is at the center of the executive order’s indignation.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
  • In a moment of feigned indignation, Sandler threatened to storm out of the ceremony, which prompted O'Brien to apologize for his attack.
    Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Prosecutors allege that Read, 45, deliberately hit O’Keefe with her SUV in a drunken rage and left him to die in the snow in January 2022.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • If Episode 2 was the depiction of fire and uncontrollable rage — with Tommy flaming down an unrelenting monster known as a bloater, and Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) torturing and killing Joel — Episode 3 is the opposite.
    Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In September of that year a hurricane hit, and Long Island bore the brunt of its wrath, leaving only destruction in its wake.
    Elyssa Goodman, Them., 25 Apr. 2025
  • And he’s plagued by these visions of wrath and desire.
    Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • At the time, the parish was reportedly spearheaded by Leander Perez, who championed preserving racial segregation, which ultimately led to outrage and protests.
    Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • Any legitimate critique that might have resonated is drowned out by outrage.
    Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fury. Accessed 10 May. 2025.

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