Definition of feral
1 : of, relating to, or suggestive of a wild beast feral teeth feral instincts
2a : not domesticated or cultivated : wild feral animalsb : having escaped from domestication and become wild feral cats
feral
nounExplore M-W
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 of feral from the Web
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Through the six square, neurotically overstuffed panels on each page, Bell shows us the landscape of her mother’s life, populated by feral animals and possibly dirty dishes.
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But his clichéd life is rendered in clichés; his feral survivalism and his extended solitude are grossly oversimplified and underimagined.
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Texas already allows hunting feral hogs by helicopter.
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Some lawmakers say House Bill 3535 is needed because the populations of feral hogs and coyotes continue to grow and create problems for landowners across the state.
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The state already allows the shooting of feral hogs from helicopters, but that is expensive and has not been very successful because the aircraft often scare the animals away.
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The state already allows the shooting of feral hogs from helicopters, but that is expensive and has not been very unsuccessful because the aircraft often scare the animals away.
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District heath officials said in a news release that feral cats born in the wild shouldn’t be treated like domestic animals and that no attempt should be made to capture or feed them.
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An arrow that was used to shoot a possibly feral cat in Kailua Kona.
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.
Origin and Etymology of feral
Medieval Latin feralis, from Latin fera wild animal, from feminine of ferus wild — more at fierce
First Known Use: 1604
Synonym Discussion of feral
FERAL Defined for English Language Learners
feral
playDefinition of feral for English Language Learners
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: of, relating to, or resembling a wild beast
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—used to describe an animal (such as a cat or dog) that has escaped and become wild
FERAL Defined for Kids
feral
playDefinition of feral for Students
: having escaped from the care of people and become wild feral pigs
Learn More about feral
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See words that rhyme with feral Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for feral Nglish: Translation of feral for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of feral for Arabic speakers
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