furious

adjective

fu·​ri·​ous ˈfyu̇r-ē-əs How to pronounce furious (audio)
1
a(1)
: exhibiting or goaded by anger
She was furious with them for printing the story.
(2)
: indicative of or proceeding from anger
b
: giving a stormy or turbulent appearance
furious bursts of flame
c
: marked by noise, excitement, activity, or rapidity
worked at a furious pace
2
: intense sense 1a
the furious growth of tropical vegetation
furiously adverb

Examples of furious in a Sentence

She's furious at how slowly the investigation is proceeding. I was furious with them for printing the story. We worked all night at a furious pace.
Recent Examples on the Web His father, who had fought the Germans and been imprisoned during World War II, was furious. Seth Mydans, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 What was the vibe of the photo shoot? PA Fast and furious! Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024 More recently, Chinese internet users were furious over a photo on Apple’s website, featuring a customer service agent with a pigtail hairstyle, which users believed played into anti-Chinese stereotypes. Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 12 Mar. 2024 Uvalde report Families of the victims of the May 2022 school massacre in Uvalde, Texas, are furious after an independent investigator tasked with probing the police response cleared all local officers of wrongdoing. Aj Willingham, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 The furious sound of Moctar’s band, for him, is intended in part to reflect the urgency of the subject matter. Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 4 Mar. 2024 The Heat overcame a brutal start and staged a furious late rally but ultimately succumbed, ending their winning streak at five. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024 Pistons coach Monty Williams was incensed after the game and delivered a furious rant in the media room. Sam Joseph, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024 If overwork depletes us, forcing us to abandon our personal lives, then, Jude seems to suggest, our last defense might be to build brand-new selves, ones that are too outrageous and furious to be denied. Beatrice Loayza, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'furious.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French furieus, from Latin furiosus, from furia madness, fury

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of furious was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near furious

Cite this Entry

“Furious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/furious. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

furious

adjective
fu·​ri·​ous ˈfyu̇r-ē-əs How to pronounce furious (audio)
1
: very angry
2
: very active : violent
a furious storm
furiously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on furious

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