fierce

adjective

ˈfirs 

fiercer; fiercest

1

a

: violently hostile or aggressive in temperament

a fierce tiger

b

: given to fighting or killing : pugnacious

fierce fighters

2

a

: marked by unrestrained zeal or vehemence

a fierce argument

b

: extremely vexatious, disappointing, or intense

fierce pain

3

: furiously active or determined

make a fierce effort

4

: wild or menacing in appearance

5

informal : having or expressing bold confidence or style

When it comes to celebrity fashion, while the looks are fierce they're not always attainable.

—Marlen Komar

fierceness noun

Synonyms

• ferocious
• savage
• vicious

Choose the Right Synonym for fierce

fierce, ferocious, barbarous, savage, cruel mean showing fury or malignity in looks or actions.

fierce applies to humans and animals that inspire terror because of their wild and menacing aspect or fury in attack.

fierce warriors

ferocious implies extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality.

a ferocious dog

barbarous implies a ferocity or mercilessness regarded as unworthy of civilized people.

barbarous treatment of prisoners

savage implies the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people filled with rage, lust, or other violent passion.

a savage criminal

cruel implies indifference to suffering and even positive pleasure in inflicting it.

the cruel jokes of schoolboys

Examples of fierce in a Sentence

He was killed in a fierce battle.

The proposal has faced fierce opposition.

The two teams have had a fierce rivalry for many years.

He's admired for his fierce independence.

You could see the fierce determination in her eyes.

Recent Examples on the Web

The incident comes amid fierce controversy around pro-Palestinian activism and free speech in the UK, with musicians often at the forefront. —Max Saltman, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2025

Data from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) shows Democrats ahead of Republicans in overall fundraising, with more success among House Democrats than senators, as the parties gear up for a fierce 2026 midterm election. —Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025

Costco kept an employee-first stance through the 2008–09 recession — avoiding layoffs while maintaining wages and benefits — and emerged with fierce employee and customer loyalty and stronger performance. —Eric Mosley, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Kennedy, who has long been a fierce critic of vaccines, has used his office to further sow doubt about immunizations, despite decades of evidence of their safety and efficacy. —ProPublica, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fiers, from Anglo-French fer, fers, fiers, from Latin ferus wild, savage; akin to Greek thēr wild animal

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing fierce

• something fierce

Rhymes for fierce

• tierce

Kids Definition

fierce

adjective

ˈfi(ə)rs 

fiercer; fiercest

1

a

: violently unfriendly or aggressive in disposition

b

: eager to fight or kill

2

: expressed with extreme force or anger : intense

a fierce argument

3

: furiously active or determined

a fierce effort

4

: wild or threatening in appearance

fiercely adverb

fierceness noun