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 Still, Miss Manners cannot reassure you that such technical adherence to the law will shield you from the righteous fury of the unfed. Judith Martin, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026 On the left, that dislike has metastasized into an all-out fury, which is manifesting itself in all kinds of intolerable ways. Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026 As the verdict was announced, his followers unleashed a wave of fury across Punjab and Haryana. Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026 The fury of getting to Rome faded into the glory of being in Rome. Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fury
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fury
Noun
  • She was indicted in the first Trump administration, and undoubtedly would have been convicted, just as the shrew judge in Milwaukee was last week for doing the exact same thing.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 24 Dec. 2025
  • The godfather-like arctic shrew Mr. Big is back, as is Flash, the sloth, both ready to help at just the right moment.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 25 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • In these and recent Olympics, athletes have gone viral for amassing pins in the village with varying frenzy.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Given Supermicro’s high-profile role in the AI build-out frenzy, the CFO also needs to have strategic relationships with analysts, investment banks, and market participants.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • But a reoccurring point of friction and, really, anger on my part is over the dishwashing and laundry at our house.
    R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Zelensky was forced to make a U-turn and acknowledge public anger.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Scientists have long suspected that active supermassive black holes can kill their own host galaxies, but new research suggests these cosmic titans are more like serial killers that can extend their murderous rampage across many light-years and destroy neighboring galaxies, too.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Randy Santos, 31, was arrested with a bloody metal bar in his hands shortly after the October 2019 rampage.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The Editorial Board should save its righteous indignation for some other topic.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Many of the musicians and audience members belonged to a generation that’s often stereotyped as languishing in apathy and isolation—but whose indignation about the suffering in Gaza has far outpaced that of other generations.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • White terrazzo marble floors with cracks that are certainly well earned by the likes of dancing stilettos, dropped Champagne bottles, and jade macaws thrown in rage.
    Jason Sheeler, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Derek had just killed a patient and channeled all his rage into a brutal fight.
    Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Cape Cod and the South Shore are still coping with the wrath of the Blizzard of ’26.
    Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
  • New Yorkers only just freed from the snow and ice left by January’s monster storm will once again face winter’s wrath.
    Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Despite efforts by festival leadership to keep the focus on cinema, the 2026 Berlinale has been defined as much by social media outrage and geopolitical debate as by the films themselves.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026
  • That’s because a clause added at the last minute, which halves salaries for workers on leave due to injury or illness unrelated to work, generated outrage among opposition lawmakers and forced the government to make an amendment to the version of the bill that passed the Senate last week.
    Isabel Debre, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fury. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.

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