be furious at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be furious at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing strong anger or frustration towards someone or something. Example: "She was furious at her colleague for taking credit for her work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The other federation members were said to be furious at what they considered her presumption.

The New Yorker

He is now right to be furious at the way the election has been run.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some Scotland Yard officers are said to be furious at the CPS decision.

The Guardian

I think Bruce would be laughing and be furious at the same time".

The New York Times

"One can hope that they won't be furious at what we've done".

The New Yorker

Its directors, including Jean-René Fourtou, the chief executive of Vivendi, are said to be furious at this hostile approach.

The Economist

If your ultimate goal is to reduce inequality, then you should be furious at the doctors, bankers and C.E.O.'s.

The New York Times

"I'd be furious at the White House and F.B.I. and intelligence community for destroying my credibility," the senator said.

The New York Times

This would cost you $50, and you'd be furious at me for the rest of your life.

The New York Times - Food

People associated with Connecticut basketball, including Calhoun, are said to be furious at the N.C.A.A.'s treatment of Ryan Boatright.

The New York Times

(Good thing no adults are reading this. Record company executives would be furious at that last line).

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be furious at", ensure the context clearly identifies the cause of the anger to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify what action or event is prompting the furious reaction.

Common error

Avoid using "be furious at" with inanimate objects as the subject; instead, focus on who is experiencing the fury. For example, it's better to say "She was furious at the faulty machine" instead of "The machine was furious".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be furious at" functions as a predicate adjective expressing a strong emotional state directed towards a specific cause or person. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, with examples demonstrating its application in describing anger.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be furious at" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey strong anger directed towards someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be suitable for specific settings. It's important to use the phrase accurately, ensuring clarity regarding the cause of the anger and avoiding misattribution to inanimate subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be livid at

Expresses extreme anger, stronger than "furious".

be irate at

Indicates a state of great anger, often in a more controlled manner.

be outraged at

Suggests anger combined with a sense of moral shock or indignation.

be incensed at

Implies a state of burning anger and indignation.

be indignant about

Expresses anger specifically towards perceived injustice.

be exasperated by

Describes a state of frustration and annoyance, often due to repeated occurrences.

be resentful of

Implies a feeling of bitterness and anger over something perceived as unfair.

be displeased with

Indicates a mild form of anger or dissatisfaction.

take exception to

Suggests a disagreement or resentment towards something.

be annoyed by

Indicates a state of mild irritation.

FAQs

How do I use "be furious at" in a sentence?

Use "be furious at" to express strong anger towards a person or thing. For example: "She was furious at him for lying." or "They were furious at the company's decision".

What can I say instead of "be furious at"?

You can use alternatives like "be livid at", "be irate at", or "be outraged at" to express similar sentiments.

Is it appropriate to use "be furious at" in formal writing?

While "be furious at" is widely understood, in formal writing, consider using stronger alternatives like "be indignant about" or "be incensed at" to maintain a more professional tone.

What is the difference between "be angry with" and "be furious at"?

"Be angry with" expresses a general feeling of displeasure, while "be furious at" implies a more intense and extreme level of anger. "Furious" suggests a higher degree of outrage than simply being "angry".