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
The bill has been met with both fierce opposition and staunch support from students, professors and community members across the state.
—
Amanda McCard, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2025
With Zverev looking to cement his dominance, Alcaraz aiming for a repeat title, and Fritz eager to defend home soil, the competition will be fierce from day one.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Listen to this article President Trump Thursday delayed plans to order the elimination of the federal Department of Education, a move that would likely face fierce opposition from Congress and in the courts.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2025
The auction proceeded despite fierce opposition from thousands of artists, who have argued AI models of exploiting human creativity without consent.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fierce
Amanda McCard, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2025
With Zverev looking to cement his dominance, Alcaraz aiming for a repeat title, and Fritz eager to defend home soil, the competition will be fierce from day one.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Listen to this article President Trump Thursday delayed plans to order the elimination of the federal Department of Education, a move that would likely face fierce opposition from Congress and in the courts.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2025
The auction proceeded despite fierce opposition from thousands of artists, who have argued AI models of exploiting human creativity without consent.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fierce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fierce
Adjective
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Hot Spring Shark Attack is set in a small, hot spring town in Japan, where a ferocious ancient shark reawakens and terrorizes the local hot spring facilities.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2025
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Moments of ferocious, wall-of-noise intensity come interspersed with passages of beautiful calm, like vape breaks between stints inside a dungeon rave.—
Sam Davies,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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An intense look at the world of competitive bodybuilding and remake of a Argentine thriller top our roundup of this week’s new films.—
Randy Myers,
The Mercury News,
20 Mar. 2025
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After the match finished in a 1-1 draw, Ferguson and West Ham’s unused substitutions had an intense running session on the Goodison Park pitch with a backroom staff member.—
Roshane Thomas,
The Athletic,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Simultaneously punched out, yet refusing to stay down for the count, a gruff Smith does his actorly best to understand, then diss, his public’s view of the slap heard round the world.—
A.D. Amorosi,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
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In a gruff voice, Fino speculated about what besides the mushroom might have caused the disease.—
Shayla Love,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Trump prompts a more aggressive digital posture Democrats adopted a more combative stance online in recent weeks as Trump’s moves to slash the federal workforce drew protests from liberals and pushback at GOP town halls.—
Matt Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2025
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As a result, teams are taking a more aggressive approach.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Two weeks ago, a protest by retirees, joined by soccer fans and members of social and political organizations, ended in a violent clash between police and protesters.—
Manuela Castro,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2025
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Fast-talking criminals, boxing matches, violent action sequences, car charases, and notable stars (Tom Hardy, Helen Mirren, and Pierce Brosnan) are all present and accounted for.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But frantic calls to her husband’s doctor’s office resulted in an appointment 10 days later.—
Sara Belcher,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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The trailer opens with a frantic DiCaprio grabbing a payphone to call into the rebellion using secret codes.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
27 Mar. 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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Despite her apparent hypertension, a doctor cleared Diana Carey to be taken to a regular hospital floor instead of continuing intensive monitoring, according to the lawsuit.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2025
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Both regions came under heavy attack during intensive Israeli air strikes.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fierce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fierce. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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