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

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 The Angel is traditionally an all-American Barbie, blonde and draped in flowing white robes, but under Marianne Elliott’s direction, the Angel — like the play itself — becomes shaggy and ragged and feral, so alive as to be frightening. — Constance Grady, Vox, "Your guide to the 17 most important nominees at this year’s Tonys," 7 June 2018 Most crucially, the feral and desperate aspect becomes the point of connection to others across a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and experiences. — Priscilla Gilman, BostonGlobe.com, "A long and winding road but to where?," 30 Mar. 2018 All food donated at this event will go toward feeding the homeless and feral cats in Enfield. — Courant Community, "Community News For The Enfield Edition," 20 Mar. 2018 The indications of his feral and brutal nature rarely come through with any veracity. — Theodore P. Mahne, NOLA.com, "Not much to desire as miscasting, overacting derail Le Petit's 'Streetcar'," 10 Dec. 2017 The deputy who was shot Tuesday evening in an Indialantic neighborhood after trying to calm two neighbors arguing about feral cats, is alive and recovering, according to a report by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. — Joe Mario Pedersen, orlandosentinel.com, "Brevard deputy is recovering after Indialantic shooting, sheriff says," 7 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.