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

• fell
• ferocious
• grim
• 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

Guy Fieri, Amanda Freitag, Robert Irvine, Marc Murphy, Michelle Bernstein, Todd English, Michael Schwartz and more challenged each other to fierce matches of ping pong. —Melinda Sheckells, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Apr. 2024

Far from the 2,100-mile border, along every avenue where India seeks to expand, China looms as a fierce competitor. —Sameer Yasir, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2024

This Sunbelt state with a fierce independent streak has long been at the forefront of the nation’s immigration debate due to its 378-mile border with Mexico and its large Hispanic and immigrant populations. —Steve Peoples, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024

The state Assembly passed the bill last year with bipartisan support despite fierce opposition and lobbying efforts from big tech companies. —Adam Beam and Trân Nguyễn, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024

Her pop spectacle channeled 2000s-era Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera with fierce choreography and powerhouse vocals. —Lucas Villa, Allure, 12 Apr. 2024

Laura is a proud former resident of the New Jersey shore, a competitive swimmer, and a fierce defender of the Oxford comma. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Apr. 2024

As the pressures of head-to-head competition for a championship crown weigh heavy, the three put fierce rivalries aside and discover how the power of friendship can unlock even greater success in and out of the water. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024

Israel withdrew its troops from the city on Sunday, after a fierce four-month battle with Hamas, the longest ground battle of the Gaza war. —Daniel Estrin, NPR, 10 Apr. 2024

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

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