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 There is no shortage of footage of Shelton from his early career, bounding after balls with the fury of a linebacker chasing down a quarterback and then sliding through them — too far through them. Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 25 May 2026 The film, which is set to bow in Un Certain Regard on May 21, tumbles through tones, swerving through pitch-black humor, empathy, fury and larger-than-life moments. William Earl, Variety, 20 May 2026 Suzanne’s fury is as explosive as her sister’s is contained. Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026 What’s that famous saying about hell hath no fury? Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 May 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 23-year-old Beckham seemed to take the media frenzy in good humor.
    Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
  • Though not everyone was able to secure presale tickets, many still made light of the situation online, sparking a wave of memes related to the frenzy.
    Francie Ebert, NBC news, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • Death is often a flash point for communal anger.
    Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 29 May 2026
  • Lemieux was known for diving on the ice, embellishments that drew the anger of opponents, Farber said, and often his own teammates.
    Dan Robson, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • The scene recalled the gruesome rampages of the RSF’s forebears, the janjaweed militias who terrorized Sudan’s Darfur region a generation ago.
    Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
  • There were 12 separate shootings during the rampage, which police say appeared random, including at a fire station.
    Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
Noun
  • My earliest World Cup memory—a six-year-old’s spiral of indignation and despair—is of Diego Maradona’s dastardly Hand of God, which eliminated England in the quarterfinals of the 1986 edition, in Mexico.
    Sam Knight, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
  • Ultimately, grudges are rarely just bitter indignation alone.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • Director Max Winkler worked closely with the two actors to create a rapport that could inform their face-offs, which operate on rage and fear.
    Hunter Ingram, Variety, 6 June 2026
  • This has brought some understandable pre-tournament rage.
    Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2026
Noun
  • Backup Spurs center Luke Kornet’s minutes have offered an opening this series — mostly a break from Wembanyama’s wrath.
    Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 29 May 2026
  • There are the victims, their families, and lives left shattered because of a single person’s vicious wrath.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026
Noun
  • Enough with the selective outrage.
    Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2026
  • Thousands have taken to the streets in the country's capital every night since the incident and activists have told CBS News that a lack of transparency from the Albanian government — both over this project and wider issues related to alleged corruption — are central to the public outrage.
    Emmet Lyons, CBS News, 6 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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