1
as in ferocious
violently unfriendly or aggressive in disposition
the Vikings had a well-earned reputation for being fierce warriors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
a fierce wind made the frigid temperatures seem even worse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
the fierce faces of the players on the opposing hockey team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in aggressive
having or showing a bold forcefulness in the pursuit of a goal
a social reformer of fierce and fearless determination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
fierce fighting raged in the streets of the war-torn city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in frantic
marked by great and often stressful excitement or activity
fierce early-morning trading sent stocks soaring
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fierce
However, the measure has met with fierce opposition from right-wing parties, which have described it as irresponsible and a way to further collapse a country with certain public services that are already stretched to the limit.
—
Marta Campabadal Graus, NBC news, 30 May 2026
In 2021, a fierce winter storm left millions of Texans without electricity and water for days.
—Sufan Jiang, Fortune, 30 May 2026
The fund has generated a fierce backlash since it was announced last week, with even Republicans pressing acting Atty.
—Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
But in the Senate, Rubio was known as a fierce defender of fish.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fierce
Marta Campabadal Graus, NBC news, 30 May 2026
In 2021, a fierce winter storm left millions of Texans without electricity and water for days.
—Sufan Jiang, Fortune, 30 May 2026
The fund has generated a fierce backlash since it was announced last week, with even Republicans pressing acting Atty.
—Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
But in the Senate, Rubio was known as a fierce defender of fish.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fierce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fierce
Adjective
-
Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion whose ferocious, hard-hitting style of play angered opponents and sometimes overshadowed his prodigious skills and ability to deliver in the biggest games, has died after taking his own life, according to authorities.—
Stephen Whyno,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
-
Despite the ferocious domestic rivalries, the Tartan Army is considered among the world’s friendliest football fans, known for singing and mingling instead of brawling (even if only while their national team is playing).—
Laura Dannen Redman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Russia had vowed more intense attacks and warned foreign diplomats to abandon Kyiv.—
Elmira Aliieva,
NBC news,
3 June 2026
-
That funding faced intense scrutiny from a handful of Republicans, prompting senators to abandon it.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, Ye-jin is drawn in by the caring nature beneath Matthew’s gruff surface.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
29 May 2026
-
But the grizzled former Man in Black and man-who-failed-to-ground-Maverick isn’t known for playing the type of gruff ol’ cowpoke who’s about to break into song.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
That, in turn, catalyzed the most aggressive Fed rate-hiking cycle ever and a bear market.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
1 June 2026
-
Carolina’s penalty kill is extremely aggressive all over the ice.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
His predecessor, Hailemariam Desalegn, had overseen strong economic growth during his nearly six-year rule but continued a historical pattern of using violent crackdowns to crush dissent.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
-
That was in March of 2011, when pro-democracy protests against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad led to a violent government crackdown and civil war.—
Jon LaPook,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
The mother of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro — who claimed her son had been kidnapped, kicking off a frantic search in the Inland Empire — now faces a lengthy prison sentence after admitting to charges related to her role in the infant’s disappearance and death.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
While unfortunate, the frantic opening minutes of the second half highlighted a continuing issue for Miller.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Their twiggy legs and bony frames exposed in bathing suits, the kids do indeed look extra vulnerable within the film’s savage landscape.—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
25 May 2026
-
Sure, sci-fi can be bleak — there's no end to the cosmic horrors and savage alien races that game developers can conjure up — but that almost always comes as a result of humanity's success in space.—
Ian Stokes,
Space.com,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
For Paul, dragging long sheets of metal was intensive.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
Distillation is a process in which a small, less resource-intensive model learns to mimic a large, expensive one.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fierce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fierce. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
