fierce

[feers]

adjective

fiercer, fiercest 

1. menacingly wild, savage, or hostile.

   fierce animals;

   a fierce look.

   Synonyms: murderous, bloodthirsty, barbarous, brutal, fell, cruel
   Antonyms: mild, tame

2. violent in force, intensity, etc..

   fierce winds.

   Synonyms: passionate, furious, turbulent

3. furiously eager or intense.

   fierce competition.

   Synonyms: turbulent, passionate, furious

4. extremely bad or severe.

   a fierce cold.

fierce

/ fɪəs /

adjective

1. having a violent and unrestrained nature; savage

   a fierce dog

2. wild or turbulent in force, action, or intensity

   a fierce storm

3. vehement, intense, or strong

   fierce competition

4. informal,  very disagreeable or unpleasant

Other Word Forms

• fiercely adverb
• fierceness noun
• overfierce adjective
• unfierce adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fierce¹

First recorded in 1300–1350; from Middle English fiers, fers, from Old French fiers, fers, from Latin ferus “wild, fierce”; feral ¹, ferocious

Word History and Origins

Origin of fierce¹

C13: from Old French fiers , from Latin ferus

Synonym Study

Fierce, ferocious, truculent suggest vehemence and violence of temper, manner, or action: fierce in repelling a foe. Ferocious implies fierceness or cruelty, especially of a bloodthirsty kind, in disposition or action: a ferocious glare; ferocious brutality toward helpless refugees. Truculent suggests an intimidating or bullying fierceness of manner or conduct: His truculent attitude kept them terrified and submissive.

Example Sentences

Sam Farmer’s pick: The Chargers offensive line is a major concern, even though Washington’s pass rush isn’t quite as fierce as that of the New York Giants in Week 4.

From Los Angeles Times

This week's earthquake comes in the middle of a fierce typhoon season.

From BBC

Universities are facing a fierce squeeze in Scottish government funding, now down to less than a quarter of their revenue.

From BBC

For all that, however, the sense of calm control and composure that was the hallmark of Liverpool's title win has been lost - and was missing again the fierce surroundings of Istanbul.

From BBC

Coffee competition is fierce in Los Angeles, where numerous independent cafes compete against popular California-based chains, including Blue Bottle and Philz.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• angry 
• bold 
• brutal 
• cutthroat 
• dangerous 
• ferocious 
• fiery 
• furious 
• intense 
• murderous 
• passionate 
• powerful 
• raging www.thesaurus.com
• relentless 
• savage 
• stormy 
• strong 
• terrible 
• vehement 
• vicious