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
Rates are particularly tempting in April, May, and October, when marina berths are easier to find and northerly winds, which can be quite fierce in July and August, are much less likely.
—
Helen Iatrou, AFAR Media, 9 Apr. 2025
Spanish mastiffs, meanwhile, are also known for being hugely affectionate towards family, and a fierce defender of livestock as a working dog.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
After the 106-94 loss Thursday to its fiercest rival, Iowa (17-16) will miss the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season and post a sub-20-win campaign for the third straight year.
—Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
American hunting influencer Sam Jones is facing fierce backlash after taking a baby wombat from it's mother while visiting Australia.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fierce
Helen Iatrou, AFAR Media, 9 Apr. 2025
Spanish mastiffs, meanwhile, are also known for being hugely affectionate towards family, and a fierce defender of livestock as a working dog.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
After the 106-94 loss Thursday to its fiercest rival, Iowa (17-16) will miss the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season and post a sub-20-win campaign for the third straight year.
—Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
American hunting influencer Sam Jones is facing fierce backlash after taking a baby wombat from it's mother while visiting Australia.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fierce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fierce
Adjective
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There’s scenario No. 1: Either Carter, a ferocious All-American pass rusher, or Hunter, a generational wide receiver-cornerback hybrid, is available, and the Patriots can add a premium talent at a position of need in what can only be described as a front-office dream.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
16 Apr. 2025
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In other words, if Instagram had even somewhat appeared as a future threat to Facebook or Facebook’s competition, there would have been a ferocious bidding war for Instagram that would have pushed its purchase price far, far above $1 billion.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The missions became more intense as Japan's outlook grew more dire and the military showcased the sacrifice of the pilots to drum up patriotism and support for the war.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
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Next, the authors report that repressive techniques are often effective in suppressing protest in the short run but tend to make resistance more intense in the long term.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This was the puzzle: The Torch and the Treasure A Bridge Puzzle of Strategy, Speed... and Stolen Gold Five daring fantasy thieves—a nimble Elf, a sneaky Goblin, a fleet-footed Satyr, a gruff Dwarf, and a hulking Troll—have just pulled off the heist of the century.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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Could this gruff old man playing mahjong in a nondescript hall be a curious gambler on the last boat up the Mekong, laughing in the face of Edward’s existential crisis?—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The prison has become a symbol of Bukele's aggressive policies that have targeted gang violence.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
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Young has struggled against the Heat’s aggressive defense in recent years.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Adams said the pair had discussed how to combat violent migrant gangs and embedding more New York Police Department officers into federal task forces.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Third, the violent reaction in financial markets that followed Mr. Trump's latest tariff salvo could persuade him to change course.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, the phone calls for additional funding became more frantic from producers.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2025
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When intentionally chosen, the right scent can even shift your mood—lifting you out of a listless haze or helping ease a frantic pace.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 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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Since early March, Israel has cut Gaza off from the supply of humanitarian aid including food, with aid agencies warning that the situation for the strip’s 2 million civilians has deteriorated dangerously, only worsened by intensive Israeli military operations.—
Irene Nasser,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2025
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Now, more than six months after first complaining of stomach pain, Butlin started her first three-month course of intensive chemotherapy on April 8.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fierce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fierce. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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