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
Rare pterosaur babies found In a new study in Current Biology, University of Leicester paleontologists cracked open a new window onto the ferocious past.
—
Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
So all of us were just young and hungry and had the energy to be ferocious.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
In the pic, Garfield plays a legendary leader of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
Never mind that but for a very few seasons (1960 and 2007 in particular) when both programs were thriving at the same time, the ferocious rivalry steeped in Civil War roots (just 26 years had elapsed since) typically was of little consequence beyond the participants and their fans.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ferocious
Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
So all of us were just young and hungry and had the energy to be ferocious.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
In the pic, Garfield plays a legendary leader of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
Never mind that but for a very few seasons (1960 and 2007 in particular) when both programs were thriving at the same time, the ferocious rivalry steeped in Civil War roots (just 26 years had elapsed since) typically was of little consequence beyond the participants and their fans.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ferocious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ferocious
Adjective
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Pyongyang has continued to exercise significant control over the population and severely restrict the rights and freedoms of its population, and that has only gotten more intense over the last decade.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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This question — which strikes at the heart of a perennial issue in American politics, frequently reignited by recurring mass shootings — sparked an intense partisan divide.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In the face of fierce opposition, Lyles supported bringing the Republican National Convention to Charlotte in 2020 — standing on her commitment to represent the entire city as mayor.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Sep. 2025
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In Paradise Bay, competition is fierce to attract high-end clientele and the standout offering at Maxx Royal is its two-story, 5,750-square-meter spa.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This thrilling prequel stars Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa and Alyla Browne as young Furiosa, who is abducted by the savage warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth) — leader of the Biker Horde — and spends the next decade in captivity plotting her revenge and escape.—
Charlotte Walsh,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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There was a time when loving someone of the wrong gender could result in harassment, arrest or a savage beating.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Tasha Williams, mom to a freshman student, said her daughter called about the shooter, frantic and searching for her friend.—
Katie Langford,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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Laura is frantic about saving Daniel after learning Cherry pushed her father from a construction site, fracturing his spine in two places.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Advertisement The flurry of updates came three days after Robinson was arrested following an intensive hunt for Kirk's killer.—
Richard Hall,
Time,
14 Sep. 2025
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Doing this requires massive system level integration and is resource intensive.—
Thomas Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The left is always, at all times and places, a violent phenomenon full of hatred.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
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Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, has written about hurricanes, tornadoes and violent weather for more than 30 years.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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As and when evidence against that narrative comes out, either via six monthly reports or from some other source, the crash in the stock price will be more vicious than otherwise.—
Shivaram Rajgopal,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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In these homes, the conflict between budgeting and feeding kids well creates huge psychological stress for parents, which can lead to anxiety and depression, fueling the vicious cycle of stress and unhealthy eating, Beresin said.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Never one to shy away from making a scene at the annual Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, Bürstner came on mission this year, unleashing a furious innovation offensive that included novelties like a moving bathroom and a small semi-integrated motorhome dressed up like a camper van.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Sep. 2025
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As if Destiny 2 needed any more disasters right now, a new one has surfaced that has players furious.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ferocious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ferocious. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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