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

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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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 The details of the allegations, which disclosed how fraternity members used a Snapchat group chat to discuss the woman and events at the party with openly crude language, sparked fury across the nation. — Elissa Nadworny, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026 In the seventh minute of stoppage time at the end of the match, Libya’s bench jumped up in fury as their team were dramatically denied a glorious goalscoring opportunity against Tunisia by an offside decision. — Colin Millar, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 In the midst of her fury and rage, Fatiha prays for her father’s safe return. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026 Explore See latest videos, charts and news The rocker, wearing a cap and aviator glasses, was joined with a full band and backing vocalists for a protest song that drips in fury and anger. — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fury

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fury

Noun

Better still are the mountain views that surround the lake and the robust collection of wildlife that call this place home, from voles, shrews, and marmots to elk, black bears, and porcupines.

— Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026
And unlike voles and other plant-eating garden visitors, shrews rarely damage plants, roots, or bulbs.

— Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of shrew

Noun

Concerns also remain that their prices shot too high following a yearslong frenzy, even though companies in the industry continue to report growth.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Stocks that have benefited from the frenzy over AI have been swinging over rising worries about their path ahead.

— Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of frenzy

Noun

Like its first season, season two of The Lowdown follows Ethan Hawke as Lee Raybon, a freelance journalist and bookstore owner in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with a nose for trouble and a hefty dose of quixotic, self-righteous moral indignation.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
Along with his signature rapid-fire, garrulous dialogue, Sorkin’s tendency for self-righteous indignation is very much in evidence.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of indignation

Noun

Platte County prosecutors have charged Brian David Martin with first-degree involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action in what appears to be a road-rage incident that ended in a fatal crash.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
The hackneyed ruminations on feminine style are punctured by an image of violent female rage.

— Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of rage

Noun

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele is demanding the release of four Salvadoran military personnel ambushed by an armed gang in Haiti, warning that the gangs would face his wrath if the men are not returned alive and unharmed.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
While Brian rode off to war, Ellen reluctantly returned to Leoch, fully aware of the wrath awaiting her from Colum in particular.

— Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of wrath

Noun

The attack sparked outrage in Israel, with Netanyahu traveling to the attack site and vowing to respond forcefully.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
The housing protests gathered pace last month, fueled by outrage over the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her home of seven decades in downtown Madrid.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of outrage

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furtiveness

fury

fuse

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“Fury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fury. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fury

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