furor

[ fyoor-awr, -er ]

noun

1. a general outburst of enthusiasm, excitement, controversy, or the like.

   Synonyms: turmoil, commotion, uproar, frenzy

2. a prevailing fad, mania, or craze.
3. fury; rage; madness.

   Synonyms: turmoil, commotion, uproar, frenzy

Word History and Origins

Origin of furor¹

First recorded in 1425–75; from Latin: “a raging”; replacing late Middle English fureor, from Middle French

Example Sentences

If Deadwyler had any lingering bitterness about the furor, or concerns about déjà vu with the building excitement about “The Piano Lesson,” it wasn’t in evidence when she bounded into a Beverly Hills hotel room recently, upbeat and lively.

From Los Angeles Times

The garbage truck photo-op came after a furor surrounding the use of the word "garbage" in the last full week of the presidential campaign.

From Salon

Biden, seeking to cool the furor, issued a clarification in an X post shortly afterwards.

From Salon

The Republican furor at Zuck these days is at such a pitch that Trump even threatened to imprison the executive for life, and everyone knows at this point that is not a threat to take lightly should the man regain power.

From Slate

Still, the furor over Moreno's comments and abortion access may not be enough to sway Ohioans amid the barrage of attack ads from both campaigns and their affiliates alongside the state's allegiance to the Republican Party.

From Salon

Related Words

• agitation
• commotion
• craze
• enthusiasm
• flap
• free-for-all
• frenzy
• fury
• fuss
• hysteria
• outburst
• outcry
• rage
• ruckus
• tumult
• uproar