1
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
the ferocious appetite that athletic teenagers have been known to display
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2
as in fierce
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
ferocious forest fires threatened to destroy hundreds of homes in the scrubland
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3
as in savage
violently unfriendly or aggressive in disposition
the animal is known as a ferocious predator
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4
as in frantic
marked by great and often stressful excitement or activity
after a day of ferocious up-and-down trading, the stock market ended up down 300 points
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ferocious
Their final side battle was ferocious and flailing.
—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
Milton Friedman And Michael Jensen Milton Friedman launched MSV in 1970 with his ferocious New York Times article.
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Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
So playing characters who were so ferocious and bold and confident and determined and all that helped me profoundly in my personal life.
—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
Think of it as the automotive equivalent of the family mastiff—intimidating in appearance, ferocious when required, but great with kids.
—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ferocious
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
Milton Friedman And Michael Jensen Milton Friedman launched MSV in 1970 with his ferocious New York Times article.
—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
So playing characters who were so ferocious and bold and confident and determined and all that helped me profoundly in my personal life.
—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
Think of it as the automotive equivalent of the family mastiff—intimidating in appearance, ferocious when required, but great with kids.
—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ferocious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ferocious
Adjective
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Katherine Guaramaco described the experience as one of the most intense of her life.
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The president highlighted the military operation in Iran that has proven deeply unpopular, and an immigration agenda that has provoked intense backlash.
Adjective
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Despite a few glimmers of good feeling, today's fierce political divisions have redefined a milestone that has often been marked by unity and optimism, at least for a moment.
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An uncontained blaze in Utah’s Juab County has scorched 34 square miles, forcing the evacuation of Eureka and nearby ranches as firefighters race to shield homes amid fierce winds.
Adjective
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For my microgeneration, the disillusionment crept in with the savage failure of the Iraq War.
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Set in the fictional lands of Westeros, House of the Dragon depicts a savage succession struggle within House Targaryen and a resulting civil war, known as the Dance of the Dragons.
Adjective
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Here’s a recap of this week’s frantic pace.
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McKenna's death gained national attention after her disappearance in the middle of the night set off a frantic search for the teenager.
Adjective
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There’s nothing like an invasive hours-long aesthetic procedure with anesthesia to justify intensive pampering.
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Governments and energy-intensive firms will look at electrification with newfound interest.
Adjective
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Aerion Targaryen Aerion Targaryen (Finn Bennett), also known as Aerion Brightflame, is a volatile and cruel Targaryen prince infamous for his arrogance and violent behavior.
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Nolan seems to be striving for geographic realism interspersed with violent and fantastic episodes.
Adjective
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The story follows vicious ex-con, Max Cady (Bardem) and his revenge plot against married couple Tom (Patrick Wilson) and Anna Bowden (Adams).
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Mahmic’s vicious goal in traffic salvaged some good feeling before a decisive showdown with Qatar next week.
Adjective
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Sam Sanders grew up in anger; his father, an alcoholic, would come home from work furious, Matt says, beating Sam with his belt.
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Seminole commissioners are furious that Lynx wants to hike costs for its mass transit service — even after the county ditched most of its bus routes last January due to a lack of riders.
Cite this Entry
“Ferocious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ferocious. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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