feral 1 of 2

Definition of feralnext

feral

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective feral differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of feral are bestial, brutal, and brutish. While all these words mean "characteristic of an animal in nature, action, or instinct," feral suggests the savagery or ferocity of wild animals.

the struggle to survive unleashed their feral impulses

In what contexts can bestial take the place of feral?

While the synonyms bestial and feral are close in meaning, bestial suggests a state of degradation unworthy of humans and fit only for beasts.

bestial depravity

When would brutal be a good substitute for feral?

Although the words brutal and feral have much in common, brutal applies to people, their acts, or their words and suggests a lack of intelligence, feeling, or humanity.

a senseless and brutal war

When is brutish a more appropriate choice than feral?

The meanings of brutish and feral largely overlap; however, brutish stresses likeness to an animal in low intelligence, in base appetites, and in behavior based on instinct.

brutish stupidity

How does the adjective feral differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of feral are bestial, brutal, and brutish. While all these words mean "characteristic of an animal in nature, action, or instinct," feral suggests the savagery or ferocity of wild animals.

the struggle to survive unleashed their feral impulses

In what contexts can bestial take the place of feral?

While the synonyms bestial and feral are close in meaning, bestial suggests a state of degradation unworthy of humans and fit only for beasts.

bestial depravity

When would brutal be a good substitute for feral?

Although the words brutal and feral have much in common, brutal applies to people, their acts, or their words and suggests a lack of intelligence, feeling, or humanity.

a senseless and brutal war

When is brutish a more appropriate choice than feral?

The meanings of brutish and feral largely overlap; however, brutish stresses likeness to an animal in low intelligence, in base appetites, and in behavior based on instinct.

brutish stupidity

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 feral
Adjective
Evil Kirk is a frightening, primal menace, skulking around the corridors like a feral beast, chugging brandy and assaulting Yeoman Rand with no conscience. Jeff Spry, Space.com, 22 Mar. 2026 Shawn Hatosy is particularly feral here, injecting real menace into an otherwise absurd premise. Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026 As with her earlier work, ecotourism will be a crucial component of conserving these feral swamplands and dry tropical forests at the heart of South America. The Editors, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026 Orland Park plans to increase fines for many offenses and add regulations on feral cat colonies and loud noise, Village Board members said Monday. Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for feral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feral
Adjective
  • Activities showcase Cempedak’s wild landscapes and seascapes, offering complimentary forest birdwatching and night walk safaris, yoga sessions, and watersports equipment, including SUP, kayaking, snorkelling, and windsurfing.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
  • New Jersey is 10 points behind Columbus for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with nine games remaining.
    CBS News, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Whatever transformation occurs reflects the brute metamorphosis of character into symbol, not the fullness of realism or the vividness of fiction.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Jeannot is both a tactician and a juggernaut, blending technique with his brute strength.
    Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • An account on the social media platform X, purporting to be Jonathan's veterinarian Joe Hollins, posted an announcement that the animal had died at age 193.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Scythia’s plants are its animals, and vice versa, blooming and breeding in alternate generations.
    Stephanie Burt, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • This experience prioritizes the animals’ wellbeing by focusing on increasing the population, collecting data, and working with experts who have success in re-wilding.
    Jack Tydeman, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But the timing of this meltdown was brutal.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Orlando City heads west after a two-week break, trying to snap out of a brutal early-season slump, but the Lions face a steep climb against a Los Angeles FC squad that hasn’t conceded a goal this year.
    Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Abby’s Magical Beasties, where one of the beasties goes missing, and Abby must problem-solve.
    Sarah Scott, Parents, 3 Nov. 2025
  • In a horrific twist, Kasumi (Kana Hanazawa) wakes up way too early — and thus has to battle the ferocious beasties to survive.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The loss of books is minor, almost trivial, in light of all the horrors and violence unleashed by this senseless war, but the potential loss of these books is a sad reminder that we’re all affected and implicated in America’s savage flailings.
    James Folta, Literary Hub, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Conan O'Brien hit almost every note on Sunday — savage, playful, heartfelt and dumb.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Buc-ee's is arguing that the animalistic logo is too similar to the buck-toothed beaver donning a red baseball cap inside of a bright yellow circle.
    Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Buc-ee's argues, in court documents, that the animalistic logo is too similar to its own – a toothy beaver wearing a red ballcap inside a bright yellow circle.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Feral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feral. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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