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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 Little life was left in this spot where White Sage’s fury must have been severe. Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 20 Oct. 2025 Just a few more blocks away is the derelict CVS that has become a lightning rod of neighborhood fury, a monument to gross neglect. Wes Burdine, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025 The 2014 original was gleefully over-the-top already, and the sequels have only amped up the spectacle, but his genuine fury and weariness felt new, exciting, a revelation. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025 Which of these would cause more uproar and fury? Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fury
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fury
Noun
  • The 2025 list of extinctions includes a bird, a shrew and a species of snail, among others.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The shrew is one of these mammals, according to the study.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • LaVine and Monk whipped the crowd into a frenzy, combining to make 17 of 32 from the field and 10 of 18 from 3-point range as the Kings bounced back from a season-opening loss to the Phoenix Suns.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Despite the latest meme stock frenzy, Beyond Meat has nonetheless still fallen 23% so far in 2025 after tumbling 58% in 2024.
    Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Our hero is also being coveted by a crime boss, and as he gets pulled further and further into this world, Farrell has to show his inner violence and anger breaking through.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Symptoms can include memory loss, impulse control problems, anxiety, depression and anger issues.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This film is situated as a direct sequel to Halloween II, giving us a chance to check in with Laurie Strode 20 years after Michael Myers' first rampage.
    Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
  • In July 2011, a Norwegian neo-Nazi went on a rampage, detonating a bomb in Oslo, Norway, before opening fire at a Labour Party youth camp on nearby Utoya Island.
    Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This explains the indignation of those carrying college debt who demanded Joe Biden make their loans go away.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
  • No one should forget that songs and lyrics, especially during dark and troubled times, can create awareness, be used to arouse indignation, even bring about social change.
    Ray Rahman, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Her voice unleashes a sentimental whirlpool of longing, betrayal, and post-breakup rage without a hint of irony.
    Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025
  • According to Pearson, patterns like diagonal tile were once all the rage, adding flair and visual interest.
    Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Disney is incredibly unlikely to ever admit that politics were a factor in Doctor Who‘s cancellation, but Jimmy Kimmel’s brief suspension was revealing of the company’s desire to minimize MAGA wrath.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Tarkenton and his Minnesota Vikings, of course, felt the Raiders’ wrath one January afternoon in Pasadena when Oakland trounced them in Super Bowl XI.
    Jon Becker, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The White House for now, perhaps less of an institution and more of a content studio, has big personality and bigger outrage.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
  • American fired its former CCO, Vasu Raja, last year after his business-travel strategy backfired and sparked outrage from travel agencies.
    Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fury. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.

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