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 But while both Horvath and Heilman backed the compromise struck with Bass, many residents and public transit advocates expressed fury at the amendment. National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026 Intense fury over Jackson County property assessments. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026 The conditions were such that one bus reportedly had to pull into a parking lot to wait out the storm’s fury. Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 22 Mar. 2026 Trump's broadsides against Keir Starmer, and Madrid's fury at Berlin for not backing it in the face of his attacks, have great propaganda value. The Week Uk, TheWeek, 22 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fury
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fury
Noun
  • See page 8 to order a shrew for $29, plus shipping and handling.
    Jeff Wilson, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Because for the most part, Caroline comes off as a rigid uptight shrew.
    Lisa DePaulo, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The housing market has cooled considerably since earlier this decade, when rock-bottom mortgage rates set off a frenzy that sent home prices soaring.
    Alex Veiga, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
  • One of the unspoken truths about the Tortuga Music Festival is that while its country-music firepower is undeniable, some of its best moments have come in the frenzy of fans who pack stages for party-rap performers such as Flo Rida, Nelly, Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg and Ludacris.
    Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • That a website better known for racing to announce celebrity deaths and releasing videos of misbehaving reality stars has turned its eye on DC says something about the anger roiling the nation.
    Elex Michaelson, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Their last few encounters have left Dana on the brink of tears or screaming in anger at herself in the bathroom.
    Hunter Ingram, Variety, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • His shot missed, deflecting glass onto Long Khac Nguyen’s face and setting him off on an immediate rampage, shooting several hostages, three fatally.
    Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Auriemma, at age 41 and in his 10th season at UConn, led a team headlined by All-Americans Rebecca Lobo, Jennifer Rizzotti and Kara Wolters on a 35-0 rampage to secure the first undefeated season and national championship in UConn history.
    Devon Henderson, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Surely there was something more beneath all this mild pleasantness, some edge of resentment, a few shards of indignation on the brink of cutting through.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
  • To his astonishment — and culinary indignation — the screen returned an absolute void.
    Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Infiniti lets us in on Agnes’ mounting disillusionment in small doses hinting at pain and, possibly, rage (add Carrie to the underdeveloped influences).
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026
  • There is hope in words that can reframe our perspectives, entertain and offer humor, or commiserate in our rage or grief.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • My refusal to accept his drinking has led him to cast his wrath upon me on occasion.
    R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Mullin will also face congressional Democrats’ wrath as lawmakers on Capitol Hill have already begun to investigate DHS for the massive contracts to individuals and companies that were inexperienced, had connections to Noem’s staff, or contained other irregularities.
    Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The outrage was loud enough that, the following day, the Wizards released an apology.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
  • In Carlsbad, an 11-year-old Black girl was physically assaulted in an incident that sparked community outrage.
    Fabienne Perlov, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fury. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on fury

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