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 When the first part of season four ends with Benedict fumbling through a disastrous proposal that Sophie become his mistress, Ha does not crumple or explode in fury. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026 This specialized canvas allowed Michaela McManus to fully explore the depths of her character’s fury. William Earl, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026 Republicans often couched their fury at speech restrictions — around right-wing cultural politics and COVID-19, in particular — as part of a broader critique of corporate power. Ben Smith, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026 The agencies that are the main targets of Democratic fury, however, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), will be able to continue operations without much disruption. Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fury
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fury
Noun
  • Because for the most part, Caroline comes off as a rigid uptight shrew.
    Lisa DePaulo, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
  • The tiny bodies of weasels, shrews and bats burn energy so fast that skipping even one meal can mean starvation.
    Leonie Baier, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The move is characteristic frenzy building from Fred, whose show Friday night will be the final performance of his USB002 tour that began last fall.
    Katie Bain, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2026
  • But the latest one, The Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special, already has fans in a frenzy.
    Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The incident sparked a firestorm of anger, much focussed on the BBC for not removing Davidson’s tic from its broadcast.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The North Austin school district is the latest in Texas contending with declining enrollment and fiscal challenges to discuss closing campuses, a strategy that’s led to community heartache and anger from families.
    Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Police and firefighters failed to respond during the rampage, prompting furious residents to demand why no one helped them.
    Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The scream, the hiss, the explosion — not a monster’s rampage.
    Kennedy French, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The other parents joined them, one or two echoing the incredulity, a mixture of fake consternation, mild indignation, and real pride.
    Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
  • The crosswalk’s removal sparked indignation in Celeste Padilla, who lives nearby.
    Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The movie puts a workplace spin on the female rage film, where fed-up women finally explode, to dangerous effect.
    Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Intentional or not, the episode and the ensuing controversy take on the tinge of rage bait, of bears profitably poked.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • But questions swirled about if even that would survive nature’s wrath for two-and-a-half centuries.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Two machine-gunners who escaped the wrath of the previous planes.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • His prosecution has sparked outrage on social media and prompted several petitions calling for the charges against him to be dropped, including one signed by more than 380,000 people.
    Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Social media converted it into shareable outrage.
    Jay Caruso, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fury. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.

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