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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 His eyes twitched in rapid blinks, his lips disappeared as if cold fury were coursing through his body. George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025 These new songs don’t ripple with doubt but with fear and fury. Grace Byron, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2025 Amid years of fury over rising property values, voters approved the ballot measure with a resounding 88% of ballots cast. The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025 Other big stories ➤ High school teachers in Pima County faced online harassment and fury after their Halloween costumes sparked outrage from Turning Point USA. Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fury
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fury
Noun
  • Especially early on in the campaign, when I was being attacked as being angry, a shrew, demeaning my husband — all these labels were coming in on me that were essentially trying to rob me of that femininity.
    Janine Rubenstein, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The 2025 list of extinctions includes a bird, a shrew and a species of snail, among others.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That cut New York’s lead to 2-1 and sent the Charlotte crowd into a frenzy, hoping for a tying score in the game’s final minutes.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Turns out, the frenzy was all over a bear (and sometimes, a cat).
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The thumping Republicans took in this week's elections reflected longer-running anger among constituencies that already leaned Democratic, but the GOP needs to worry that the government shutdown will cause that frustration to spread.
    Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • And that is why my first true voice—the one that could hold complexity, contradiction, grief, even anger—came in English.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The agent took this to be a reference to the multifaceted terror rampage in France, which killed at least 130 people in 2015.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Trump’s rampage through federal programs has proven a liability there.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Miss Universe President expresses 'Great indignation' Rocha began his statement by expressing solidarity with the 122 delegates before criticizing Nawat's actions.
    Paula Soria, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • After pouring out all of Tallulah’s earthly possessions — loose cash, thongs, several vapes, Bubble Tape — Paulena takes the bag and flounces off, leaving Tallulah vibrating with rage and Maia quietly panicking.
    Caroline Framke, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
  • For some, that rage appears to be driven by a sense of injustice that the UK national broadcaster has been the victim of a right-wing plot.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Grace becomes a doting mother, but the house becomes the subject of her wrath.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • Community outrage At Sunday’s news conference, local politicians and activists expressed their anger and frustration at federal agents’ actions Saturday.
    Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Her journal entries turn despairing and remorseful, colored by moral outrage.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fury. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

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