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

Relevance
2
3

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 Gyllenhaal, who also wrote her film, has corrected the imbalance, refashioning the story from the Bride’s perspective and concocting a protagonist of unfiltered feminist fury. ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026 Alcorn matches the duo’s capacity to shred, sending plumes of fury sliding out from her strings like the calls of a tornado siren. H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 4 Mar. 2026 The author of A Thousand Ships and Stone Blind reimagines the Greek myth of Medea as a passion play, rife with domestic fury and murder most foul. Hamilton Cain, Time, 3 Mar. 2026 But there was never a hint of panic or fury from Bloom. Andy Naylor, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fury
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fury
Noun
  • Because for the most part, Caroline comes off as a rigid uptight shrew.
    Lisa DePaulo, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
  • The tiny bodies of weasels, shrews and bats burn energy so fast that skipping even one meal can mean starvation.
    Leonie Baier, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Massachusetts Democratic pols launched a Facebook frenzy on everything from campaigning for their jobs to the war with Iran to a legislative audit, a deliberate communications strategy to avoid tough questions by spinning their stories on social media.
    Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
  • While Denton took a two-point lead late, Webb’s shot from behind the arc sent the Birdville crowd into a frenzy and his team back into the state semifinals.
    Myah Taylor, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The incident sparked a firestorm of anger, much focussed on the BBC for not removing Davidson’s tic from its broadcast.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The North Austin school district is the latest in Texas contending with declining enrollment and fiscal challenges to discuss closing campuses, a strategy that’s led to community heartache and anger from families.
    Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Police and firefighters failed to respond during the rampage, prompting furious residents to demand why no one helped them.
    Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The scream, the hiss, the explosion — not a monster’s rampage.
    Kennedy French, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The other parents joined them, one or two echoing the incredulity, a mixture of fake consternation, mild indignation, and real pride.
    Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
  • The crosswalk’s removal sparked indignation in Celeste Padilla, who lives nearby.
    Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • This is Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy, a gripping portrait of a young prince caught between action and inaction, grief and rage, truth and deception.
    Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Large Graphic Prints In the 1950s and '60s, bold, patterned carpets—geometric designs, florals, and abstract prints—were all the rage.
    Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But questions swirled about if even that would survive nature’s wrath for two-and-a-half centuries.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Two machine-gunners who escaped the wrath of the previous planes.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Soaring ratings transform him into an unlikely prophet for a network hungry for spectacle, in a world where outrage sells and attention is the ultimate currency.
    Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Good, 37, was fatally shot by a federal immigration officer, prompting national outrage.
    Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fury. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on fury

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster