FIERCE Synonyms: 411 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'fierce' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of fierce are barbarous , cruel , ferocious , and savage . While all these words mean "showing fury or malignity in looks or actions," fierce applies to humans and animals that inspire terror because of their wild and menacing aspect or fury in attack. // fierce warriors

Q: Where would 'barbarous' be a reasonable alternative to 'fierce'?

While in some cases nearly identical to fierce , barbarous implies a ferocity or mercilessness regarded as unworthy of civilized people. // barbarous treatment of prisoners

Q: When is it sensible to use 'cruel' instead of 'fierce'?

The meanings of cruel and fierce largely overlap; however, cruel implies indifference to suffering and even positive pleasure in inflicting it. // the cruel jokes of schoolboys

Q: When would 'ferocious' be a good substitute for 'fierce'?

The synonyms ferocious and fierce are sometimes interchangeable, but ferocious implies extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality. // a ferocious dog

Q: When can 'savage' be used instead of 'fierce'?

Although the words savage and fierce have much in common, savage implies the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people filled with rage, lust, or other violent passion. // a savage criminal

fierce

adjective

ˈfirs

Definition of fierce next

as in ferocious

violently unfriendly or aggressive in disposition the Vikings had a well-earned reputation for being fierce warriors

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as in intense

extreme in degree, power, or effect a fierce wind made the frigid temperatures seem even worse

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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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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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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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as in frantic

marked by great and often stressful excitement or activity fierce early-morning trading sent stocks soaring

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word fierce different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of fierce are barbarous, cruel, ferocious, and savage. While all these words mean "showing fury or malignity in looks or actions," fierce applies to humans and animals that inspire terror because of their wild and menacing aspect or fury in attack.

fierce warriors

Where would barbarous be a reasonable alternative to fierce?

While in some cases nearly identical to fierce, barbarous implies a ferocity or mercilessness regarded as unworthy of civilized people.

barbarous treatment of prisoners

When is it sensible to use cruel instead of fierce?

The meanings of cruel and fierce largely overlap; however, cruel implies indifference to suffering and even positive pleasure in inflicting it.

the cruel jokes of schoolboys

When would ferocious be a good substitute for fierce?

The synonyms ferocious and fierce are sometimes interchangeable, but ferocious implies extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality.

a ferocious dog

When can savage be used instead of fierce?

Although the words savage and fierce have much in common, savage implies the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people filled with rage, lust, or other violent passion.

a savage criminal

Examples 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 Unusually fierce December winds whipping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine, forced all the events inside. —

Thomas Adamson and John Leicester, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024 His career has been marked by strong successes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, with numerous top finishes and a fierce racing spirit. —

Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024 Matt Gaetz lie in their roles as fierce external critics of the institutions they’ve been appointed to oversee. —

Ross Douthat, The Mercury News, 6 Dec. 2024 Budget hawks in the House have been sounding some fierce opposition, including Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), who reminded his party in November that not all tax cuts pay for themselves. —

Aris Folley, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fierce

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fierce

Adjective

Light winds, increasing humidity and a chance of rain are forecast to bring relief to Los Angeles on Thursday after dry and windy conditions fueled the spread of the ferocious Franklin fire in Malibu this week.

Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Tehran, Washington, and five other world powers later inked an agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear program in 2015, despite ferocious lobbying from Israeli leaders.

Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024