Definition of furynext
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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 Following fury from the English and Mexican Football Associations, FIFA may have to backtrack on its apparent plan to move the time of the England-Mexico game. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 3 July 2026 Still, if someone argued otherwise, Smith and his ilk would rage in fury. Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 Although rabies is characterized in media as causing unchecked fury, agitation and aggression are just two symptoms. Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 Fist of fury Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark continues to get knocked around in the WNBA, including getting a fist in the throat from Phoenix Mercury guard Alyssa Thomas, who only received a one-game suspension and fine. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fury
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fury
Noun
  • These are important tools used for both feeding and building their dens and digging for other menu items such as mice, gophers, voles and shrews.
    Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
  • See page 8 to order a shrew for $29, plus shipping and handling.
    Jeff Wilson, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The South Korean chipmaker is the latest to ride a frenzy of investor interest in firms perceived as reaping big gains from the AI revolution that has spawned hundreds of billions of dollars in capital spending.
    Reuters, NBC news, 10 July 2026
  • Years of soaring home prices, especially in the early part of this decade when rock-bottom mortgage rates fueled a buying frenzy, have left many would-be home buyers frozen out of the market.
    Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Noun
  • But no one was happy, particularly fans of the singer who reacted with anger at the unauthorized use.
    StyleCaster Editors, StyleCaster, 9 July 2026
  • But the real anger belongs to the narrator herself, who berates herself for bringing a succession of troubled men into her son’s life.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 9 July 2026
Noun
  • For example, nine people died in 2024 from elephant rampages at Kerala temple festivals.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • Brandon Aiyuk continued his online rampage against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, taking shots at the team and his now former agent as the disgruntled wide receiver keeps publicly pleading for his release.
    Mercury News staff, Mercury News, 28 June 2026
Noun
  • Any suggestion that the hot hit of spice barely disguising a watery want of flavor was all too fitting a symbol for this phase in Madonna’s career would have been met with indignation.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
  • Advertisements extending beyond traditional commercial breaks to include live presenter endorsements and real-time odds promotions have sparked a fresh wave of indignation, with politicians across the political spectrum calling for tighter controls.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • Another patient, a Black woman in her mid-40s who had built a career on moving through professional spaces with precision, described the same sudden rage, the same anxiety.
    Dr. Sarah Berg, Time, 9 July 2026
  • It’s also actually filed charges in another case involving a road-rage incident.
    Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026
Noun
  • In Homer’s Odyssey, the Greek hero Odysseus must overcome tempests, temptations, mythical monsters, and divine wrath to sail home to the island of Ithaca after the Trojan War.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 July 2026
  • By banning a cruise ship full of American LGBTQ+ travelers from docking in its country’s ports, Turkish authorities have drawn the wrath of Broadway’s formidable Patti LuPone.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • The destruction of unsold inventory is an open secret in fashion, even though exposure of the practice inevitably sparks public outrage.
    Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 14 July 2026
  • The shooting has sparked outrage in Biddeford and the wider area.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fury. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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