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
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
-
She and her fellow hybrids are sent to investigate the site, leading to the encounter of mysterious life forms — including one ferocious Xenomorph.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
23 May 2025
-
Both general elections are expected to be competitive, but only the New Jersey Democratic primary has featured ferocious competition out of the four party primaries.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Biden's physical and mental fitness has been the subject of intense scrutiny during and since his time in office, with questions about the former president's age and well-being ultimately forcing him to abandon his 2024 reelection bid.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
The 82-year-old was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, the second most common cancer among men, with 1 in 8 being diagnosed in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.—
Sam Woodward,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
-
Nonprofits focused on such issues could be seen as antagonistic to the company’s aggressive commercialization efforts.—
Hayden Field,
CNBC,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Combs apologized for his violent behavior soon after the video's release.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
-
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
-
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
-
What followed was a frantic scramble to get the wounded to the nearest hospital.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Fierce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fierce. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share