1
as in ferocious
violently unfriendly or aggressive in disposition
the Vikings had a well-earned reputation for being fierce warriors
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2
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
a fierce wind made the frigid temperatures seem even worse
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3
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
the fierce faces of the players on the opposing hockey team
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4
as in aggressive
having or showing a bold forcefulness in the pursuit of a goal
a social reformer of fierce and fearless determination
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5
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
fierce fighting raged in the streets of the war-torn city
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6
as in frantic
marked by great and often stressful excitement or activity
fierce early-morning trading sent stocks soaring
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fierce
His leadership, consistent across Barcelona, Argentina, and Inter Miami, is characterized by quiet example and a fierce commitment to excellence.
—
Luis E. Romero, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
The coaster’s backstory incorporates the name of the village — named for the storms that sweep across the plains — and a local unbeatable bull that the matadors nicknamed Tormenta for his fierce strength and incredible speed.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 June 2026
Alejandra Gomez, the executive director of the non-profit LUCHA, says that the moratorium emerged from the passionate advocacy of many Arizonans—and in the face of fierce counter-lobbying from the data center industry led by former Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 19 June 2026
For two decades now, commissioners have been reluctant to hike the tax rate, a move that typically leads to a fierce public outcry.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fierce
Luis E. Romero, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
The coaster’s backstory incorporates the name of the village — named for the storms that sweep across the plains — and a local unbeatable bull that the matadors nicknamed Tormenta for his fierce strength and incredible speed.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 June 2026
Alejandra Gomez, the executive director of the non-profit LUCHA, says that the moratorium emerged from the passionate advocacy of many Arizonans—and in the face of fierce counter-lobbying from the data center industry led by former Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 19 June 2026
For two decades now, commissioners have been reluctant to hike the tax rate, a move that typically leads to a fierce public outcry.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fierce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fierce
Adjective
-
So playing characters who were so ferocious and bold and confident and determined and all that helped me profoundly in my personal life.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
-
Your ferocious work ethic and absolutely unshakable moral fiber.—
Scott Bauer,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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Being in the C-suite is a high-pressure job with long hours, board responsibilities, and intense scrutiny.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
-
Within the hour, all firefighters were called off the roof and out of the building because of the danger posed by the intense flames and the ammonia leak.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
Adjective
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But Rose bet that a less gruff voice, ultimately Mike Brown’s, was required to win it all.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
14 June 2026
-
Platner, a gruff 41-year-old Marine Corps veteran, is trying to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins with a platform of economic populism, universal health care, labor protections, and anti-interventionism.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Grey-zone tactics refer to a range of aggressive tactics that vary from navy ship patrols to drone flights, but fall short of direct combat.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 June 2026
-
That will be decided in the coming hours, as the Heat remains in aggressive pursuit of a trade for Antetokounmpo.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2026
Adjective
-
Aerion Targaryen Aerion Targaryen (Finn Bennett), also known as Aerion Brightflame, is a volatile and cruel Targaryen prince infamous for his arrogance and violent behavior.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
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Nolan seems to be striving for geographic realism interspersed with violent and fantastic episodes.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
21 June 2026
Adjective
-
Here’s a recap of this week’s frantic pace.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
20 June 2026
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McKenna's death gained national attention after her disappearance in the middle of the night set off a frantic search for the teenager.—
Angela George,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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Harron slyly transforms it into a savage social satire, using the narrator’s unreliable point of view to borderline absurdist effect.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 June 2026
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What begins as a desperate family bonding trip rapidly devolves into savage violence and brutal psychological warfare.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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There’s nothing like an invasive hours-long aesthetic procedure with anesthesia to justify intensive pampering.—
Merle Ginsberg,
HollywoodReporter,
19 June 2026
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Governments and energy-intensive firms will look at electrification with newfound interest.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fierce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fierce. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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