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 The pieces themselves are quite powerful, involving bits and bobs of righteous fury and vigilante justice, but they’re rarely strung together with the requisite rhythm. — Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 21 Sep. 2026 The film follows its hero from fens to road and road to London, then London toward the forest—as private grief grows into collective fury and fury reaches the gates of power. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 11 Sep. 2026 But another sign of these very different times — in previous generations fans obviously couldn’t send their fury directly to team and driver social media accounts — is Leclerc’s contract again. — Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 And Quentin Collette’s turbulent soundscape — rumbling, clanking, with the unrelenting downpour stirring in elemental fury — mixes seamlessly with the tense synth riffs of French electronic composer Robin Coudert, known professionally as ROB. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fury
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fury
Noun
  • And unlike voles and other plant-eating garden visitors, shrews rarely damage plants, roots, or bulbs.
    — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 15 Sep. 2026
  • These are important tools used for both feeding and building their dens and digging for other menu items such as mice, gophers, voles and shrews.
    — Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
Noun
  • But sports markets are the main drivers of the prediction frenzy.
    — Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The sports drink, launched in 2022 by two of YouTube’s biggest stars, manufactured a frenzy.
    — Keren Novack, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Republican lawmakers -- many of them in tough election contests where soaring fuel costs are driving voter anger -- praised the agreement.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The defeat came amid protests sparked by an elderly woman’s eviction, and could deepen public anger and fuel speculation about early elections.
    — Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The rampage-causing Godzilla is bigger than ever this time and heads to New York City for a global action epic.
    — Zack Sharf, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026
  • And, of course, there won’t be many people who want to defend someone in that position — or, indeed, listen to any hard-luck stories — now the details have been outlined in court about his motorway rampage.
    — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • In the end, director Duong, recognizing Aunt Hanh’s residual indignation, lances that boil.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026
  • But a new wave of indignation swept Spain when Abascal, who uses a wheelchair, was carried on a stretcher from her apartment after police cordoned off the street.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Despite, or rather alongside Kramer’s rage, there’s audible affection between them.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Min said he is filled with rage toward his brother-in-law, Walker, for allegedly killing his sister.
    — Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The county faced DeSantis’ wrath after local officials criticized his pro-development legislation and voters rejected his handpicked candidates at the ballot box in November 2024.
    — Liv Coleman, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Hawaii finds itself in the crosshairs again Hawaii has felt the wrath of two hurricanes over the past month.
    — John Raby, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • In 1995, the rape of a 12-year-old girl by three US servicemen unleashed outrage and mass protests in Okinawa.
    — Junko Ogura, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Jemele Hill noted that Peyton Manning, Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, Myles Garrett and Marshawn Lynch were among the prominent sports figures who had participated in Wallen’s concert entrances without generating comparable outrage.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fury. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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