fierce

fierce

adjective \ˈfirs\

fierc·erfierc·est

Definition of FIERCE

1

a : violently hostile or aggressive in temperament

b : given to fighting or killing : pugnacious

2

a : marked by unrestrained zeal or vehemence <a fierce argument>

b : extremely vexatious, disappointing, or intense <fierce pain>

3

: furiously active or determined <make a fierce effort>

4

: wild or menacing in appearance

— fierce·ness noun

Examples of FIERCE

1. He was killed in a fierce battle.
2. The proposal has faced fierce opposition.
3. The two teams have had a fierce rivalry for many years.
4. He's admired for his fierce independence.
5. You could see the fierce determination in her eyes.

Origin of FIERCE

Middle English fiers, from Anglo-French fer, fers, fiers, from Latin ferus wild, savage; akin to Greek thēr wild animal

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to FIERCE

Synonyms

fell, ferocious, grim, savage, vicious

Antonyms

gentle, mild, unaggressive

Related Words

argumentative, assaultive, bellicose, belligerent, brawly, chippy, combative, confrontational, discordant, disputatious, feisty, gladiatorial, militant, pugnacious, scrappy, warlike; bare-knuckle (also bare-knuckled or bare-knuckles), blood-and-guts, in-your-face, take-no-prisoners; contentious, quarrelsome, truculent; menacing, threatening; bestial, brute, inhuman, inhumane; barbaric, uncivilized, wild; heartless, implacable, merciless, pitiless, relentless, ruthless, unrelenting, wanton; bloodthirsty, bloody, homicidal, murdering, murderous, sanguinary, sanguine; rapacious, ravenous, voracious

Near Antonyms

amicable, companionable, comradely, congenial, cordial, friendly, genial, hearty, warm, warmhearted; compliant, submissive, tame; benign, compassionate, kind, merciful; pacific, peaceable, peaceful; amiable, complaisant, obliging; human, humane; civilized, cultured

Synonym Discussion of FIERCE

fierce, ferocious, barbarous, savage, cruel mean showing fury or malignity in looks or actions. fierce applies to humans and animals that inspire terror because of their wild and menacing aspect or fury in attack <fierce warriors>. ferocious implies extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality <a ferocious dog>. barbarous implies a ferocity or mercilessness regarded as unworthy of civilized people <barbarous treatment of prisoners>. savage implies the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people filled with rage, lust, or other violent passion <a savage criminal>. cruel implies indifference to suffering and even positive pleasure in inflicting it <the cruel jokes of schoolboys>.

Rhymes with FIERCE

Bierce, birse, pierce, Pierce, tierce