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
In between all the fun, stars such as Kerry Washington, Ashanti, Boris Kodjoe and more also stopped by BET's portrait studio and gave their fiercest poses.
—
Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 11 June 2025
Behold the power of food to shape world history: Antonin’s culinary ambition and fierce loyalty to his adoptive father, a fellow chef named Bailly, are equal drivers of the season’s plot.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 11 June 2025
President Donald Trump's hard-line immigration agenda is drawing fierce backlash in cities like Los Angeles—where protests have turned violent—but polls show Americans are divided over his approach, particularly along party lines.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
OpenAI has struck a deal to use Google's cloud computing infrastructure for AI despite the two companies' fierce competition in the space, reports Reuters.
—ArsTechnica, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fierce
Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 11 June 2025
Behold the power of food to shape world history: Antonin’s culinary ambition and fierce loyalty to his adoptive father, a fellow chef named Bailly, are equal drivers of the season’s plot.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 11 June 2025
President Donald Trump's hard-line immigration agenda is drawing fierce backlash in cities like Los Angeles—where protests have turned violent—but polls show Americans are divided over his approach, particularly along party lines.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
OpenAI has struck a deal to use Google's cloud computing infrastructure for AI despite the two companies' fierce competition in the space, reports Reuters.
—ArsTechnica, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fierce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fierce
Adjective
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The game needed overtime — the third game that went beyond regulation in the first four contests of the series — because Edmonton mounted a ferocious comeback after falling into a three-goal first period deficit.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
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He’s been on a like-a-hurricane live roll lately with his ferocious new band the Chrome Hearts, who make their studio debut on Talkin to the Trees.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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The faction's power grew with the shocking debut of Jacob Fatu, another member of the Anoa'i family known for his intense and destructive style in other promotions.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
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Healthy people can still experience short-term symptoms like fever, intense headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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Eric Bauman, a gruff and tireless political operative who led two of California’s most powerful Democratic organizations before resigning amid misconduct allegations, died Monday.—
Laura J. Nelson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
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Cross-examination from the defense’s gruff Xavier Donaldson will continue first thing Tuesday when the trial picks up again.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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But even in Alberta, a province that has favored development, the legacy policies are still likely not aggressive enough to meet the moment.—
Mark Le Dain,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
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With an acute focus on fighting back against Donald Trump‘s aggressive deportation raids, the movement coincides with the president’s controversial military parade in Washington meant to celebrate the Army’s 250th anniversary.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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Swart said another giveaway is the hotel accommodations that are arranged for violent rioters.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
21 June 2025
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Newsom and Trump have sparred over the California protests after the president federalized National Guard troops, arguing local officials were not doing enough to quell demonstrations that at times grew violent, though most protesters were peaceful.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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And when Paul manages to elude his overseers and explore the surrounding area — spurring a frantic search, the menacing tenor of which raises Lise’s hackles — the movie effectively becomes a prison drama, with the trio’s eventual interviewee depicted as a shadowy warden who can decide their fate.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2025
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When Nemo strays away from his reef and gets lost in the big open ocean, his frantic father teams up with the ever-forgetful Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) to find him.—
Meg Walters,
EW.com,
19 June 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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Meta is also making major investments in geothermal technology as a less fossil fuel–intensive way to generate power.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
19 June 2025
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Apex scavengers are disproportionately affected by activities like intensive livestock production, land use changes and the wildlife trade.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fierce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fierce. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.
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