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
Assassin bugs earned their name from their fierce predatory hunting strategies, according to experts.
—
Lauren Liebhaber
september 8, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
In recent years, fierce competition, consolidation and more overseas labor brought that down to around $5 million.
—Gregg Goldstein, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Not to spoil the movie for anyone, but there’s at least one more classic Justice League member in the mix, along with one of the fiercest — and funniest — antiheroes in the DC Universe.
—Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
These arguments mirror a broader discourse about artistic interpretations of history, with shared consensus about the horrors of Indigenous genocide, but more nuanced — and often fierce — disputes about how those stories are remembered, and who should be allowed to tell them.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fierce
Lauren Liebhaber
september 8, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
In recent years, fierce competition, consolidation and more overseas labor brought that down to around $5 million.
—Gregg Goldstein, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Not to spoil the movie for anyone, but there’s at least one more classic Justice League member in the mix, along with one of the fiercest — and funniest — antiheroes in the DC Universe.
—Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
These arguments mirror a broader discourse about artistic interpretations of history, with shared consensus about the horrors of Indigenous genocide, but more nuanced — and often fierce — disputes about how those stories are remembered, and who should be allowed to tell them.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fierce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fierce
Adjective
-
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
Adjective
-
During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Both require intense concentration, in order to be any good, and diligent practice, and both make use of imagination—which in tennis takes the form of anticipation—and creativity.—
Thomas Swick
September 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Busta also received an assist from Papoose and Joyner Lucas, all of them sharing lyrical wordplay and seamless tradeoffs as Busta swung between his trademark dichotomy of rapping to gruff bellowing.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The Old Man was short and gruff and had chin whiskers.—
Robert Easton,
Outdoor Life,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Mid-summer changes to United’s revolving credit facility indicated a switch in strategy, and there was a more aggressive approach in the market following a summit in Iceland between Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The occurrences grew more aggressive over time, with the Smurls' 75-pound German shepherd getting slammed into a wall and Jack getting attacked while praying.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The left is always, at all times and places, a violent phenomenon full of hatred.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
-
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
-
In 2010, Shannan Gilbert placed a frantic and incoherent 911 call, begging for help and claiming someone was after her.—
Michael Ruiz , Jennifer Johnson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
And that was only after a frantic scramble to get the snap off for Harrison Butker’s 59-yard kick to beat the clock going into the locker room.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Zack recently completed five weeks of intensive training with his handler, Deputy Trisha List.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Measles, for example, was eliminated in the US in 2000 through intensive vaccination.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fierce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fierce. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share