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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 And he is compelled by a righteous fury to warn others of his son’s dark path to self-annihilation. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025 Israel, in its fury, decimated Hamas and wiped out its leadership—including Sinwar—and also killed tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians. David Remnick, New Yorker, 21 June 2025 Acuña first-pitch fury Ronald Acuña Jr. homered on the first pitch in the bottom of the first inning Wednesday off the Mets’ Paul Blackburn, his 36th leadoff homer to extend his Braves record. David O'Brien, New York Times, 20 June 2025 Earlier this month, as anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles began to swell in size and fury, the Department of Homeland Security posted a video of an immigration raid in El Monte, California. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for fury
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fury
Noun
  • For the study, researchers looked at 1,376 vertebrate species known to eat some amount of carrion, ranging from tiger sharks and spotted hyenas to cane toads and common shrews.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 June 2025
  • The music hall performer Belle Elmore was dismissed by the press as a vulgar shrew.
    Jennifer Wright, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Another trait often ascribed to footballers is courage — the kind that enables them to put their head into a frenzy of flying boots, or take a decisive penalty when thousands are willing them to fail.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 6 July 2025
  • That one came down to a late penalty and sent the French crowd into a frenzy.
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • Though Trump is backing away from Putin in public, he’s never specifically projected anger about the paused weapons for Ukraine.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 9 July 2025
  • Music and song have changed the world in positive, enduring ways that fear, anger, and violence never have.
    Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Japan’s most recent execution, in July 2022, was of a man who killed seven people in a vehicle crash and stabbing rampage in a crowded Tokyo shopping district of Akihabara in 2018.
    Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
  • Jurors entered their third week Monday deliberating the fate of Carlos Reales Dominguez, the former UC Davis student accused in a 2023 knife rampage that killed two men in Davis and nearly killed a woman experiencing homelessness.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • Claiming persecution becomes more believable when it is coupled with the righteous indignation of the wronged.
    Lubna Zeidan, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
  • Some Trump allies have expressed skepticism — and at times outright indignation — at the idea of the U.S. involved in another conflict in the Middle East, while others have offered wholehearted support.
    Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • Emotionally intelligent people don't unleash their rage like this.
    Juli Fraga, CNBC, 27 June 2025
  • In rage and disbelief, Gi-hun mourned the death of his friend and wailed with grief as masked soldiers apprehended him.
    Esther Kang, People.com, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • The congresswoman, who is up for reelection next year, risks Trump's wrath and may hinder her chances in the 2026 midterms.
    Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
  • The shooting and cellphone footage that captured the moment when Armstrong was shot has drawn the ire of family members and the wrath of community organizations that make up the Healing and Justice Center in Miami.
    Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Guzman-Feliz’s death sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice, with the hashtag #JusticeForJunior gaining traction across social media and prompting citywide demonstrations and tributes.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 30 June 2025
  • Although the men have reached the legal age of consent, outrage has ensued.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fury. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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