Definition of furynext
1
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 The fury of getting to Rome faded into the glory of being in Rome. Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026 His murder was met with fury and anguish. Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026 The 2026 Winter Olympics opened, with a surprising lack of international fury. Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 5 Feb. 2026 These revelations have prompted an outpouring of fury. Sarah Digregorio, Vanity Fair, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fury
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fury
Noun
  • She was indicted in the first Trump administration, and undoubtedly would have been convicted, just as the shrew judge in Milwaukee was last week for doing the exact same thing.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 24 Dec. 2025
  • The godfather-like arctic shrew Mr. Big is back, as is Flash, the sloth, both ready to help at just the right moment.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 25 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The crypto industry, for example, entered 2022 brimming with hope, as the pandemic helped spark a surge in trading from people stuck at home, leading to a frenzy that boosted all kinds of speculative investments, from cryptocurrencies to digital tokens called NFTs.
    Rafael Nam, NPR, 7 Feb. 2026
  • All Democrats need to understand that the extreme left has a vested interest in keeping them in a frenzy.
    Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • There is inward-looking anger in Thompson’s voice, halfway between rebuke and lament.
    Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Liam's detention last month prompted anger.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Michael Chesna and bystander Vera Adams in a July 2018 rampage.
    Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Most notably was school resource deputy Scot Peterson, who waited outside as Nikolas Cruz, the 19-year-old former Stoneman Douglas student, went on a killing rampage in the freshman building.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • But others waiting appeared to burn with the indignation of an era in US-Cuban relations that until recently had been relegated to the history books.
    Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
  • His indignation was not sugar coated.
    Essence, Essence, 20 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • This oscillation between rage at one’s own powerlessness and fantasies of violence is the song’s motive force.
    Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Listen, people want the rage bait.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • So up and over went Adebayo, and straight down upon Ware came Adebayo’s dunking wrath.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Instead, his minions, so afraid of earning his wrath, have remained quiet.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, were taken from their snowy suburban Minneapolis driveway last month to a family detention center in Dilley, Texas, sparking widespread outrage.
    Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
  • In recent weeks, Republicans around the country responded to public outrage after federal agents killed a Minnesota nurse.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 7 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fury. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.

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