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 Israel fended off a furious attack on Saturday with the help of powerful allies in the region and around the world. Michael Lee, Fox News, 14 Apr. 2024 In a furious 2012 email exchange, Omar accused his father of things that would be echoed in allegations made by the California Department of Justice and numerous lawsuits against the board alleging malfeasance. James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024 The Russians were furious, and Kirill severed ties with the Phanar. Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024 Taiwanese officials are furious after the People's Republic of China attempted to claim worldwide sympathies following a devastating earthquake. Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 6 Apr. 2024 Perhaps the managers at Hooters forgot what Yoda's character had said about anger leading to suffering, because Berry was furious. John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Apr. 2024 Now two people are dead, and lovers of Miracle Hot Springs are furious that they’re being denied access to the soothing waters. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024 Israelis, therefore, were furious when Hezbollah survived and continued to fire rockets at their territory. Dominic Tierney, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2024 Michael Jackson, 47, a waiter in Las Vegas who was out of work for nearly a year, was furious that much of the state did not reopen more quickly. Reid J. Epstein, New York Times, 24 Mar. 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 25 Apr. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!