feral

adjective

fe·ral | \ ˈfir-əl

, ˈfer-; ˈfe-rəl

Definition of feral

1 : of, relating to, or suggestive of a wild beast feral teeth feral instincts

2a : not domesticated or cultivated : wild feral animals

b : having escaped from domestication and become wild feral cats

Other Words from feral Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about feral

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Choose the Right Synonym for feral

brutal, brutish, bestial, feral mean characteristic of an animal in nature, action, or instinct. brutal applies to people, their acts, or their words and suggests a lack of intelligence, feeling, or humanity. a senseless and brutal war brutish stresses likeness to an animal in low intelligence, in base appetites, and in behavior based on instinct. brutish stupidity bestial suggests a state of degradation unworthy of humans and fit only for beasts. bestial depravity feral suggests the savagery or ferocity of wild animals. the struggle to survive unleashed their feral impulses

Examples of feral in a Sentence

They led a feral existence. animal experts discourage homeowners from trying to adopt feral animals as pets

Recent Examples on the Web

Rock Springs Police Chief Dwane Pacheco says the shelter only euthanizes feral cats and aggressive dogs and has one of Wyoming’s few free spay-and-neuter programs. — USA TODAY, "Titanic auction, Legos, mighty Mississippi: News from around our 50 states," 22 July 2019 The increase in seeds also means more rats, stoats and feral cats -- all of which pose risks to the bird. — Leah Asmelash And Brian Ries, CNN, "This bird was nearly extinct. Now, its population could double thanks to an 'epic' breeding season," 19 July 2019 The Florida Department of Health in Orange County has issued a 60-day rabies alert for a two mile radius that includes part of Walt Disney World’s Epcot park after a feral cat in the area tested positive for rabies. — Jasmine Aguilera, Time, "Rabies Alert Issued at Disney World's Epcot Due to Feral Cat," 12 July 2019 The Florida Department of Health issued the alert after testing confirmed that the cat carried rabies A two-mile portion of Florida’s Walt Disney World is under a rabies alert after a feral cat scratched two employees. — Julie Mazziotta, PEOPLE.com, "Part of Disney World’s Epcot Under Rabies Alert After Feral Cat Scratches 2 Employees," 12 July 2019 The 300-page environmental document produced by federal researchers analyzed and dismissed dozens of other possible mouse control methods, including feral cats, snakes, trapping and sterilization. — Peter Fimrite, SFChronicle.com, "Coastal Commission to consider poisoning mice to restore balance on Farallon Islands," 10 July 2019 As the game wore on, as the tension grew, the noise became more fevered, more feral. — New York Times, "With an Abundance of Confidence, U.S. Gives an Advanced Class in Cool," 28 June 2019 This hunched and feral posture of grievance is then combined with a fiercely put-upon impatience with the service that viewers themselves are receiving. — David Roth, The New Republic, "Making sense of Donald Trump's petulant reign," 12 June 2019 In the United States, there are 30 to 40 million stray or feral cats roaming outside and only about 2% of them have been spayed or neutered. — Meghan Dunn, CNN, "Meet Instagram's Paul the Cat Guy," 20 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'feral.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.