1
as in ferocious
violently unfriendly or aggressive in disposition
the Vikings had a well-earned reputation for being fierce warriors
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2
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
a fierce wind made the frigid temperatures seem even worse
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3
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
the fierce faces of the players on the opposing hockey team
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4
as in aggressive
having or showing a bold forcefulness in the pursuit of a goal
a social reformer of fierce and fearless determination
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5
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
fierce fighting raged in the streets of the war-torn city
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6
as in frantic
marked by great and often stressful excitement or activity
fierce early-morning trading sent stocks soaring
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fierce
But amid fierce opposition in the Missouri Senate, whether the bill becomes law remains an open question.
—
Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2025
Trump says the aircraft is worth $400 million and the assertion has prompted fierce bipartisan pushback.
—Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
The old model of fierce independence is a luxury many can't afford during this transition.
—Allbusiness, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Tehran claims its program is peaceful but has threatened fierce retaliation and a possible withdrawal from the nonproliferation treaty if its nuclear sites are attacked.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fierce
Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2025
Trump says the aircraft is worth $400 million and the assertion has prompted fierce bipartisan pushback.
—Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
The old model of fierce independence is a luxury many can't afford during this transition.
—Allbusiness, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Tehran claims its program is peaceful but has threatened fierce retaliation and a possible withdrawal from the nonproliferation treaty if its nuclear sites are attacked.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fierce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fierce
Adjective
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The crisis is in plain view and the wind is ferocious.—
Mark A. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
-
His Hozier cover was at turns strategic and nuanced, then unleashed and ferocious.—
Charlie Mason,
TVLine,
5 May 2025
Adjective
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That evening, there was intense fighting between the Army and the R.S.F, but Wanis slipped outside anyway.—
Nicolas Niarchos,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
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Losing someone the caliber of Soto’s track record stung the Yankees and certainly their fans based on the reaction of an intense Subway Series.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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The rest of the film takes place in a prison, where Henry’s gruff but philosophical cellmate, Gene (Shia LaBeouf), tries to teach him the ways of the world.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2025
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Fimmel digs into the more stereotypical gruff bounty hunter with relish, though the character itself is a western staple.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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However, thanks to aggressive conservation efforts, including predator control programs, habitat restoration, and breeding initiatives, several kiwi species have seen rebounds.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
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Even so, the aggressive play in this post-season has stood out.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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Combs apologized for his violent behavior soon after the video's release.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
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For that reason, Torres-Chirinos is also charged with two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime and one count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful alien.—
Chris Spargo,
People.com,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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The pair embark on a playdate at a beachfront promenade before holing up in a foreign hotel to evade an increasingly frantic Lee.—
Todd Gilchrist,
Variety,
15 May 2025
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What followed was a frantic scramble to get the wounded to the nearest hospital.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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As savage Arctic cold was getting ready to surge south across North America, vivid imagery based on data from weather models showed us what was going to happen.—
Tom Yulsman,
Discover Magazine,
27 Dec. 2022
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The 2023 grand marshal is former Arizona Democratic congresswoman Gabby Giffords, gravely wounded in a savage mass shooting in 2011 that also killed six people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Dec. 2022
Adjective
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With 4 million packages a day passing through American gateways using the de minimis exception, and around half of those shipments hailing from China, CBP is now contending with a much more intensive entry process for small shipments than it’s been accustomed to.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
13 May 2025
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The department conducts an annual review of each state, and a more intensive one that’s supposed to be completed roughly every five years.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fierce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fierce. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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