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 Fauci could inspire others’ fury, too, even well before the pandemic. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026 Disaster can strike in regions unaccustomed to their fury, as North Carolinians in the western end of the state painfully learned in 2024 as Hurricane Helene deluged the region. Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 Larson’s sustained fury at Bronin for daring to challenge him is well-known among active Democrats. Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026 The clever mind outplays the strong Who rush with fury all day long. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fury
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fury
Noun
  • These are important tools used for both feeding and building their dens and digging for other menu items such as mice, gophers, voles and shrews.
    Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
  • See page 8 to order a shrew for $29, plus shipping and handling.
    Jeff Wilson, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But there was no soul, no driving power behind his voice, nothing that could bring me even to contemplate a fit of frenzy.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than revisiting the evidence against Kohberger, #CyberSleuths examines the digital frenzy surrounding the case.
    Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • Gallup polling found Gen Z’s anger toward AI rose from 22% to 31% over the past year, even as regular usage held roughly steady around half of the cohort, meaning a generation that keeps using a tool it’s increasingly frustrated with.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 July 2026
  • Before the recording was played, Judge William Sullivan warned jurors not to allow sympathy, anger, passion or pity to influence their verdict.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026
Noun
  • Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, and teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, were killed in the rampage, which sent shock waves through Winder, Georgia, a small town northeast of Atlanta.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 31 July 2026
  • The ensemble eking out hope in the Terrordome includes Angela McBride (Suzette Llewellyn), a mother of two who goes on a violent rampage of justice-seeking after a gut-wrenching loss.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 July 2026
Noun
  • Mind you, Miss Manners agrees with your indignation at this fraudulent maneuver.
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
  • And Anne Hathaway, in a bravura performance, situates Penelope on an emotional precipice, caught between indecision and indignation, between yearning for her husband and a palpable disgust with the alternatives.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
Noun
  • In a blind rage after watching his brother die, Duke catches up to one of their assailants and beats him to death — with a crowd watching.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 July 2026
  • Likewise, Cretton allows the Punisher his rage while silently noting that the vigilante’s gun-toting tactics usually make things worse.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Noun
  • Of course, the meeting between them all doesn’t go as planned, and the wrath of Francesca and the parents’ indifference leads only to more pain for Robbins.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Throughout Homer’s tale, Odysseus is repeatedly thwarted by divine wrath, nature and human fallibility.
    Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
Noun
  • Her comments mirror those of 18-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, who routinely dismantles online outrage over the WTA's protocol.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Automatic license plate readers have been an element of law enforcement for decades, but a particular brand of surveillance cameras have recently incensed public outrage and made their way into Florida’s gubernatorial race.
    Joshua Ceballos, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fury. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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