1
as in wild
living outdoors without taming or domestication by humans
animal experts discourage homeowners from trying to adopt feral animals as pets
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in brute
having or showing the nature and appetites of a lower animal
a novel that reveals just how thin the veneer of civilization is and how feral we are at bottom
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in animal
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of feral
Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
DaCosta dispenses with irony; instead, there’s a Manson Family-meets-Village of the Damned vibe to these feral kids, notably in a chilling, Straw Dogs-style siege on a remote farmhouse.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026
To start with the movie’s strongest asset, Fiennes is magnificent — sinewy and feral in appearance but erudite in manner, his isolation and years of living rough having done little to curb the magniloquence of a posh education.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
In 1998, Herrington heard an interview, on NPR, with Rick Varner, who hunted feral hogs for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
—Paige Williams, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for feral
Adjective
Trump’s domestic political gift is the feral instinct for weakness that characterizes most authoritarians.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
DaCosta dispenses with irony; instead, there’s a Manson Family-meets-Village of the Damned vibe to these feral kids, notably in a chilling, Straw Dogs-style siege on a remote farmhouse.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026
To start with the movie’s strongest asset, Fiennes is magnificent — sinewy and feral in appearance but erudite in manner, his isolation and years of living rough having done little to curb the magniloquence of a posh education.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
In 1998, Herrington heard an interview, on NPR, with Rick Varner, who hunted feral hogs for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
—Paige Williams, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for feral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feral
Adjective
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China is home to the largest population of wild snow leopards in the world, according to the Snow Leopard Trust, with the country harboring the majority of the global population.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The Lakers were swept by Chicago in their two-game series last season, including a wild 119-117 loss at the United Center on Josh Giddey's half-court shot at the buzzer.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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At 6-4, Kone is a bouncy wing who overpowers defenders with brute strength and agile footwork.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Their crime was raising their voices against a repressive government that relied on brute force and surveillance of its citizens for its survival, a regime whose authority rested on force and fear.—
Binaifer Nowrojee,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Everything here is just better — the way animals are treated, people are polite.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The Year of the Horse begins on February 17 with the end of the Year of the Snake (an animal equally apt for Malfoy, as the symbol of Slytherin, his house at Hogwarts).—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This experience prioritizes the animals’ wellbeing by focusing on increasing the population, collecting data, and working with experts who have success in re-wilding.—
Jack Tydeman,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
On one of the coldest days of the year, a brutal winter storm left a cat on the brink of disaster — until a hero stepped in.—
Kendall Malinchock,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
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Iranian authorities responded by launching a brutal crackdown on protests, according to observers.—
Kevin Shalvey,
ABC News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Abby’s Magical Beasties, where one of the beasties goes missing, and Abby must problem-solve.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
3 Nov. 2025
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In a horrific twist, Kasumi (Kana Hanazawa) wakes up way too early — and thus has to battle the ferocious beasties to survive.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Today Iranians are mourning thousands of their fellow citizens who were massacred during savage crackdowns on recent protests in Iran.—
Ramin Jahanbegloo,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
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Sons of Anarchy was praised for its stellar writing, operatic plotting, and cast of actors who breathed vivid life into their characters, giving even the most savage moments a dose of humanity.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Venezuelan tonka bean absolute gets an edgier twist with palo santo and musk, while coconut powder balances the earthy and animalistic notes with a subtly fresh sweetness.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
14 Jan. 2026
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One quality that distinguishes the very best chess players is killer instinct, an almost animalistic will to win.—
Jordan Himelfarb,
Time,
15 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Feral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feral. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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