as in brutality
a very fierce or violent quality; the quality or state of being ferocious
the ferocity of the attack The ferocity of the backlash took them by surprise.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of ferocity
Adams is a great foil for Bardem, with her big blue ingénue eyes and quiet ferocity as a performer.
—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
But in other parts of the world, fires are springing up with less warning and more ferocity—in many cases, directly threatening areas densely populated by humans.
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
The ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has alarmed global public health experts over the ferocity of the spread in the remote and heavily populated region.
—
Jane Weaver,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
The arena of Roland-Garros with its natural red clay evokes a colosseum, and Rafa played the game with the ferocity of a tiger unleashed upon a sandaled opponent.
—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ferocity
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
But in other parts of the world, fires are springing up with less warning and more ferocity—in many cases, directly threatening areas densely populated by humans.
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
The ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has alarmed global public health experts over the ferocity of the spread in the remote and heavily populated region.
—
Jane Weaver,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
The arena of Roland-Garros with its natural red clay evokes a colosseum, and Rafa played the game with the ferocity of a tiger unleashed upon a sandaled opponent.
—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ferocity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ferocity
Noun
-
Unfortunately, Florida’s leaders seem to have set their sights on any reminder that the state’s historic brutality should still inspire action today.
-
More than a decade later, Ike Barinholtz is opening up about the Police Academy reboot that was scrapped amid a rise in lethal police brutality.
Noun
-
These passages highlight the typically human cruelty and hypocrisy of fighting for one’s own liberty while denying it to one’s neighbors.
-
Last week, Dixon also pleaded no contest to the three felony animal cruelty charges.
Noun
-
The ferociousness of the defending champs can be, has been, overwhelming for most.
-
Here, sea level rise is accelerating at some of the most extreme rates on Earth, while hurricanes increasingly are swirling ashore with an unprecedented ferociousness.
Noun
-
The guy was a sleaze, but there’s a pretty big gap between sleaziness and murderousness.
Noun
-
For over 30 years, Judy Reyes has graced Hollywood with her fierceness.
-
While the Panthers might have other, bigger needs on Day 2 of the draft, Rivers plays with a fierceness and energy that Morgan can certainly appreciate.
Cite this Entry
“Ferocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ferocity. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
