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.

One match does not define a man, but the ferocious barrage Stan Wawrinka unleashed on Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros in 2015 should forever be linked to his name.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

Count Glenn Whipp in Camp Mulligan: “Her dry put-downs mask a fury that she eventually unleashes with seismic force. Mulligan has been consistently great, but I don’t remember her being this ferocious — or funny.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

Hastings had been a wonderful rugby player, a powerhouse, a centre with strength and ferocious will.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

Furthermore, Vanguard’s ferocious price competition has, in turn, forced other fund firms to cut their fees—putting even more money back in investors’ pockets.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

But he was dead in a ferocious pose.

From "Louisiana's Way Home" by Kate DiCamillo

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