Definitions

ferocious

[fuh-roh-shuhs] / fəˈroʊ ʃəs /

ADJECTIVE

violent, barbaric

Synonyms

STRONGEST

brutal brutish cruel fierce frightful merciless murderous ravenous relentless ruthless savage vehement vicious voracious

WEAK

barbarous bloodthirsty fell feral grim implacable inhuman inhumane lupine pitiless predatory rapacious ravening sanguinary tigerish truculent unmerciful unrestrained untamed wild wolfish

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm compassionate considerate gentle giving kind merciful nice pleasant satisfied sympathetic tame

WEAK

innocent mild nonviolent tender

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She celebrated with a clenched fist after a ferocious smash secured a break for a 4-1 lead.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

Fonseca's biggest weapon is the ferocious forehand that leaves opponents beaten and spectators gasping with excitement.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

Only after sunrise did people dare to leave their homes, and by then a ferocious fire was huffing thick plumes of smoke over the city.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2026

By the middle of March 2022, about three weeks into Russia’s full-scale invasion, much of Ukraine’s ferocious resistance had already been chronicled and shared, surprising and inspiring the Western world in the process.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

Together they gazed upon the dead tiger, with its ferocious teeth and flaring nostrils.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

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