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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 Country singer Gavin Adcock has unleashed the fury of the BeyHive. Shania Russell, EW.com, 1 July 2025 The catastrophic deluge laid waste to communities across Kerr and Kendall counties, where neighborhoods and RV parks, as well as the 18 or so youth camps attended by thousands of kids each summer, were swept away in its fury. Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 12 July 2025 The Kremlin’s fury at these exclusion zones erupted two years ago, on the eve of another BRICS summit, this time in South Africa, Dickinson says. Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025 Guy of Gisborne’s towering right hand, Drogo is a silent executioner whose sheer size and stillness intimidate more than most men’s fury. Denise Petski, Deadline, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for fury
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fury
Noun
  • For the study, researchers looked at 1,376 vertebrate species known to eat some amount of carrion, ranging from tiger sharks and spotted hyenas to cane toads and common shrews.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 June 2025
  • The music hall performer Belle Elmore was dismissed by the press as a vulgar shrew.
    Jennifer Wright, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • And things got off to an electric start when — less than three minutes into the game — Stewart scored from 4 yards out, launching the home crowd into a frenzy and one little girl into viral-video stardom.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 16 July 2025
  • The Denver housing market is facing a significant correction after booming during the pandemic homebuying frenzy, with a surplus of homes piling up in the city's market.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Pressure to release more documents has built both from within Trump's base and from Democrats seizing on their anger.
    Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Several hundred people turned out at the state Capitol with creative signs and chanting to express their anger at Trump and his policies.
    Stephanie Murray, AZCentral.com, 17 July 2025
Noun
  • In January 2015, John Lee, 29, killed three people, including his adoptive mother, and injured a fourth during a shooting rampage in Moscow.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2025
  • The police would arrest and release two suspects before finally arresting Danny Rolling, a Shreveport, La., native who would later confess to a triple homicide in his hometown and shooting his own father in the weeks before his Gainesville rampage.
    Jeremy Helligar, People.com, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • That indignation, those headlines, the praise for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s bravery and leadership cooling dramatically since those early days–in Europe and America.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • In a matter of minutes seven women were united in indignation.
    Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • Tommy Jeans Cotton Linen Blend Shorts Shorts with longer inseams are all the rage this summer, so this breathable pair with an elastic waistband will be perfectly on-trend for all your upcoming travels.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2025
  • Ironically, Garcia channeled the rage into results.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
Noun
  • Anyone who dared challenge the prevailing narrative faced the wrath of a ravenous cancel culture.
    David Oliver, USA Today, 22 July 2025
  • That patience has only earned Powell the president’s wrath.
    Paolo Confino, Fortune, 16 July 2025
Noun
  • After a two-year spike during the pandemic and national outrage over police accountability, Chicago began to see a decline in homicides in 2022.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • Trump's demand for nearly 10 times that -- along with the threats that the U.S. might pull its troops from the country -- has previously drawn widespread outrage in the country, spurring calls by some for the development of South Korea's own nuclear arsenal.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 13 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fury. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.

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