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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as in intensity
the quality or state of being forceful (as in expression)
the fierceness of her denial prompted many people to wonder if maybe she was innocent after all
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fierce
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2025
The incident in Orlando escalated what was already a fierce political fight over the authority of local governments and their support for the LGBTQ community.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2025
Like, a storm of line-dancers… tapping fierce thunder… over a mad scientist’s… slutty little castle.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2025
Nonetheless, the show’s premiere provides the perfect moment to map out the slimy, menacing world of Ellen Ripley and company in their epic battle against one of the galaxy’s fiercest creatures.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fierce
Adjective
And OpenAI has been a front-runner in the fierce battle, with ChatGPT amassing a staggering 800 million active users, according to CEO Sam Altman.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2025
The incident in Orlando escalated what was already a fierce political fight over the authority of local governments and their support for the LGBTQ community.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2025
Like, a storm of line-dancers… tapping fierce thunder… over a mad scientist’s… slutty little castle.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2025
Nonetheless, the show’s premiere provides the perfect moment to map out the slimy, menacing world of Ellen Ripley and company in their epic battle against one of the galaxy’s fiercest creatures.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fierce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fierce
Adjective
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Typical confusion and disruption for a ferocious Vikings unit led by blitz enthusiast and defensive coordinator Brian Flores, but a shock to the Patriots’ offensive system.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
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Aquaman star Jason Momoa learned that lesson the hard way while attempting a miles-long paddle through ferocious Hawaiian waters and nearly not coming back up.—
Ryan Coleman Published,
EW.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The dog days of summer brought intense heat to the Volunteer State, including a nearly month-long streak of 90-degree days in July, the fifth longest in Nashville’s history, said the weather service.—
Diana Leyva,
The Tennessean,
23 Aug. 2025
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Covino is brooding and intense as the obsessive, jealous Paul, Marvin sunny and upbeat as Carey, who catches every curveball tossed his way.—
Katie Walsh,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The central quartet of friends have a supportive connection underneath all their hormones and egos — Elba proves a standout as the gruff but warm defacto leader — that makes their bloody and sexed-up misadventures oddly wholesome.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
13 Aug. 2025
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Dougal MacKenzie loves a good prank — and so do the actors who play the gruff Highland Scot.—
Maureen Lee Lenker Published,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
Potential Fed chair David Zervos backs an aggressive rate cut.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
15 Aug. 2025
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The former Calle 13 member impresses her sensitivity to this piece, originally written by Orlando Brito and popularized in 1975 by the great Héctor Lavoe, giving it new life with her powerful, dramatic voice, accompanied by street guitars and harsh, aggressive chords that captivate the listener.—
Jessica Roiz,
Billboard,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But Over-the-Rhine and Downtown have seen an uptick in violent crime.—
Brenda Ordonez,
The Enquirer,
21 Aug. 2025
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Coleman said about 175 people convicted of violent crimes that took place before the law's effective date who had not yet been sentenced could have been eligible for early release.—
Lucas Aulbach,
The Courier-Journal,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The frantic husband immediately called 911 so his wife and baby could be transported to a nearby hospital.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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Dallas was on the other end of that story later in the week, making a frantic comeback against Los Angeles at home but falling short as Bueckers’ buzzer-beating 3-pointer rimmed out.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Cuomo would also have to demonstrate to the public how detrimental a Mamdani win would be to New York City and the Democratic Party, and deliver a higher level of intensity and passion in his messaging.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
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La Costa’s group fitness classes span everything from yoga, spin, and Pilates to power boxing, high intensity interval training, and cardiovascular boot camp.—
Joe Yogerst,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Fierce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fierce. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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