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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America, then, was visible to Fuller as the ferocious winds destroyed the vessel.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
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The Thunder are deep, play ferocious defense and have a star in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who embraces the big moment.—
Bob Harkins,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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Recognizing that gulf is a sad thing for her, and Huston holds Anderson’s intense close-ups with an expression both loving and rueful at once. 40.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
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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
Adjective
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While Hornets fans were not as gruff as New York Knicks or Boston Celtics supporters, Charlotte pro basketball fans were among the leaders who posted a specific swear word.—
Kendrick Marshall,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2025
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Paul is lovable but gruff, while Jimmy is lost and a bit broken after having lost his wife in a drunk driving accident.—
Hedy Phillips,
People.com,
2 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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The aggressive approach to deportations is giving Democrats a unifying message in opposition to Trump.—
Domenico Montanaro,
NPR,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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Noni finds herself up against Lion’s violent henchmen and women in series of fight-to-the-death encounters aboard the tyrant’s grandiose sailing ship, which lies at the heart of a vast naval fleet.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
9 June 2025
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The protests had been largely peaceful throughout Friday and Saturday, with isolated instances of violent activity.—
Michael Wilner,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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While there have been phone calls between the two, the handshake accompanied by the frantic clicks of camera shutters will mark the start of the new German-US relationship.—
Sebastian Shukla,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
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Irritatingly, my frantic battle to do so is not sufficiently compelling to warrant further description.—
Caity Weaver,
The Atlantic,
5 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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Russia used a Tu-160 in intensive overnight missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, Kyiv's air force said on Friday.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
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University of Southern California LOS ANGELES Inspired by Walt Disney artist and Imagineer John C. Hench, USC’s intensive BFA and MFA programs teach animation from a maker’s point of view.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fierce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fierce. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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