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
Vivian explained that competition was so fierce, and budgets managed so tightly, that no producer could afford to extend filming by even a day.
—
Chang Che, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Both Britain and Argentina have historic claims to the islands, and the two countries fought a short but fierce war in 1982 after Argentina tried to seize control of them.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 25 Apr. 2026
His appearance has generated fierce debate given his attacks on the media and the use of the regulatory power to punish media outlets.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2026
The boisterous, fierce Cooper also became one of the vocal leaders in the Hurricanes’ locker room the past two seasons.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fierce
Chang Che, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Both Britain and Argentina have historic claims to the islands, and the two countries fought a short but fierce war in 1982 after Argentina tried to seize control of them.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 25 Apr. 2026
His appearance has generated fierce debate given his attacks on the media and the use of the regulatory power to punish media outlets.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2026
The boisterous, fierce Cooper also became one of the vocal leaders in the Hurricanes’ locker room the past two seasons.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fierce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fierce
Adjective
-
Behind a ferocious defense and an offense that couldn’t miss, the Knicks led by 25 points after one quarter, by as many as 51 points in the first half, and by as many as 61 points after halftime.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
-
Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap have always been ferocious rappers, two goliaths spitting bilingual bars over gritty electronica with the couplet-completing precision of Run the Jewels.—
Dean Van Nguyen,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
By the final showdown, the production has made use of every bit of stage space, with sensational flying sequences (choreographed by Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant) that allow the vampires to float, hover, and—in one especially intense moment—dive from that bridge.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The moment has sparked an outpouring of empathy, with many pointing to the intense pressure drivers face on the job.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
McVay raised some eyebrows Thursday night with his gruff demeanor following the pick of Simpson.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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As previously announced, Burr plays a gruff American record-store owner who convinces a ragtag gang of teenage misfits that their best, and possibly only, chance to lose their virginity before graduating high school is at a massive open-air mass for the visiting Pope.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Gregory Bovino, the controversial head of aggressive enforcement activities in Chicago and Minneapolis, resigned from the agency.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
That approach, paired with more outreach to Black residents, may help increase the city’s affordable housing stock and close the gap in Black homeownership, though some city council members have urged a more aggressive push on affordable housing.—
Lily Carey,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Opponents will learn about his violent play style very quickly.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The government actually deported more than six hundred and seventy-five thousand people, but getting just to that number involved broad and violent sweeps and the expulsion of people who were in the country legally, actions that led to widespread protests.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As Gritty closed the gap on the fleeing pair, the camera switched to his face — the only sound being frantic footsteps and the clicking of his googly eyes.—
Ryan Brennan
April 23,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
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Federal investigators revealed new details about last month's deadly collision between a regional Air Canada jet and a Port Authority maintenance truck at LaGuardia Airport, including a frantic series of apparent miscommunications in the seconds prior to the crash.—
Clara McMichael,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This time playing an underling rather than a boss, Hoskins gave one of the best performances of his career in what remains a high point for Jordan as well, a lyrical and poignant yet savage film noir filled with regret, rage, and unrequited love.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
20 Apr. 2026
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The famed African American journalist investigated lynchings across the South and wrote about the savage incidents that the white press had already explained away.—
Case Thorp,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Data centers also have sharp demand spikes driven by computing-intensive tasks, such as training models.—
Mark Chediak,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Tilson Thomas’ New World Symphony, an ensemble and intensive three-year fellowship program for music school graduates to hone their craft, and its home at the New World Center in Miami Beach, are considered to be crown jewels in the Miami area’s art scene.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fierce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fierce. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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