FURY Synonyms: 172 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

fury

noun

ˈfyu̇r-ē

Definition of fury next

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

as in frenzy

a state of wildly excited activity or emotion the sudden appearance of the rock star whipped the crowd of onlookers into a fury of excitement

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in anger

an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something in his fury, the duped gambler overturned the card table and declared that the game had been fixed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Ryan’s hire was met with a fury of excitement from the program. —

Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 18 Jan. 2025 She was built to sway back and forth to withstand the fury of stormy weather, to stand the test of time because storms are always coming. —

The New York Times, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025 Newsweek, for instance, just covered the internet fury that was sparked by a post-wedding gift demand—which was made one year after the fact. —

John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025 In recent years, officials have endured public fury while dining out in the district. —

Korsha Wilson, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for fury

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fury

Noun

By Issy Ronald |, CNN Momentarily pausing after eating some mealworms, an elusive shrew’s long snout pointed skywards, unaware of the historic portrait that had just been captured.

— CNN.com, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025
The Mount Lyell shrew was captured in a photo for the first time in California.

— Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2025