ferocity

noun

fe·​roc·​i·​ty fə-ˈrä-sə-tē How to pronounce ferocity (audio)
: the quality or state of being ferocious
the ferocity of the lion's attack

Examples of ferocity in a Sentence

the ferocity of the lion's attack We were stunned by the ferocity of the storm.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Her long, spindly body operates in an anticipatory arch, her body gliding across the pitch in long, laboured strides until igniting into a blur, a combination of ferocity and grace. Megan Feringa, New York Times, 6 July 2025 The powerful verve in the voice of fellow Alabama native Wilson Pickett and the acoustic-underpinned ferocity of Howlin' Wolf's stylings soon followed. Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 The ferocity of the market’s recovery has raised questions about whether it is supported by fundamentals — or if underlying weakness could arise. John Towfighi, CNN Money, 23 July 2025 This series of events points to the increasing ferocity of extreme weather—the storms, droughts, floods, fires, and heat waves that, as global warming accelerates, have become more severe and more unpredictable. The New Yorker, New Yorker, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for ferocity

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ferocity was in 1606

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Cite this Entry

“Ferocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ferocity. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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