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 My poor, wan mother, wizened by her abrupt deflation, ill-prepared for such a burst of fury in her orderly existence, did try to sate me. Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026 As their mutual competitiveness grows shockingly ugly, Niall learns to turn Ruben’s Samsonian strength and fury against him, knocking down the pillars of Ruben’s own life. Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026 The video circulated rapidly on social media, sparking fury as at least two White victims were pummeled into the ground by a group of Black suspects. Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026 The decisions followed little briefing and no oral arguments, prompting fury from even some of the court’s own justices. Ella Lee, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fury
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fury
Noun
  • See page 8 to order a shrew for $29, plus shipping and handling.
    Jeff Wilson, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Because for the most part, Caroline comes off as a rigid uptight shrew.
    Lisa DePaulo, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The hotel’s L’Oasis pool garden — hidden slightly farther inside the property away from the frenzy of the Croisette — mimics the show’s poolside power plays.
    Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
  • In the 88th, a shot that sends Jamaica’s Blake flying across his goal at full stretch works the crowd into a frenzy.
    Franklin Leonard, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • To allow your anger at the cosmic unluckiness of a friend’s far-too-early passing be overwhelmed by your gratitude at the cosmic luckiness of ever having met them at all.
    Jessica Kiang, Variety, 15 May 2026
  • The past has a way of forcing its way into the present through memory, guilt, shame, anger and, in many cases, emotional breakdowns.
    Jerry Colonna, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • Legendary television executive Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant), the managing director of Corinium, is on a rampage.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 May 2026
  • Among the various aspects of the movie that its English title refers to, not least is the unhinged rampage Lina unleashes at a couple of schoolgirls, a gringa loca on the razor’s edge.
    Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • Where is the indignation about this from politicians, community leaders and clergy?
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
  • Rhys, long an expert at instilling indignation with soulful sentiment, gets pushed further here.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • High protein diets are all the rage nowadays—and for good reason.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 15 May 2026
  • Ménochet is a scary wonder as Marc, a great bear of a man who is chillingly adept at hiding his rage and possessiveness under the guise of a gentle, enlightened ascetic.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • The party also drew an appearance by Roger Ailes, the Fox News Channel chief who had faced Foxman’s wrath over the conspiracy musings of one-time Fox personality Beck.
    Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
  • Although their relationship begins as a love story, the book brings home the profits of Jacob’s earlier brutality—fate catches up to him, and everything that is love and passion sort of spoils into wrath and obsession.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • Our outrage, yours and mine, will not be to scale.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026
  • For a Dodgers team already resented for buying up baseball with its massive payroll, watching its star closer stroll through a cockfighting pit in full uniform feels tailor-made to ignite outrage back home.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fury. Accessed 17 May. 2026.

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