fierce
adjective
ˈfirs 
fiercer; fiercest
1
a
: violently hostile or aggressive in temperament
a fierce tiger
b
: given to fighting or killing : pugnacious
fierce fighters
2
a
: marked by unrestrained zeal or vehemence
a fierce argument
b
: extremely vexatious, disappointing, or intense
fierce pain
3
: furiously active or determined
make a fierce effort
4
: wild or menacing in appearance
5
informal : having or expressing bold confidence or style
When it comes to celebrity fashion, while the looks are fierce they're not always attainable.
Marlen Komar
Marlen Komar fierceness noun
Synonyms
- fell
- ferocious
- grim
- savage
- vicious
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He was killed in a fierce battle. The proposal has faced fierce opposition. The two teams have had a fierce rivalry for many years. He's admired for his fierce independence. You could see the fierce determination in her eyes.
Recent Examples on the Web But the military provided no evidence to support its claim that a fierce gun battle was under way at the time that Abu Akleh was shot. Josef Federman, USA TODAY, 7 Sep. 2022 In the eventual sleeper hit, De Armas’ Marta is a quiet Latina nurse working for a wealthy family who unexpectedly finds herself at the center of a whodunit and a fierce battle for a sizable inheritance. Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2022 At the center of the story is Rhaenyra Targaryen, who ignites a fierce battle for succession when she's named the first female heir to the Iron Throne. Elaina Patton, Vogue, 19 Aug. 2022 His quest turned into a fierce battle with the editors of his newspaper, city and police officials, and a prominent university. Cara Fitzpatrick, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2022 As Johnson proved over the final 25 laps Sunday, in the midst of a fierce battle with teammate Marcus Ericsson for 5th-place, plenty of that muscle memory is still there. Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 25 July 2022 But that cardplay is in service of the central board, where a fierce battle of territorial control plays out. Aaron Zimmerman, Ars Technica, 22 July 2022 Still, that is a risk that may be worth taking for most apparel sellers, which will be dealing with some fierce price competition in the coming months. Jinjoo Lee, WSJ, 29 Aug. 2022 Easily one of the best reality TV shows out there, RuPaul hosts Drag Race, a fierce talent competition to dub the King or Queen of drag. Sophie Hanson, Harper's BAZAAR, 12 Aug. 2022 See More
Josef Federman, USA TODAY, 7 Sep. 2022 In the eventual sleeper hit, De Armas’ Marta is a quiet Latina nurse working for a wealthy family who unexpectedly finds herself at the center of a whodunit and a fierce battle for a sizable inheritance. Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2022 At the center of the story is Rhaenyra Targaryen, who ignites a fierce battle for succession when she's named the first female heir to the Iron Throne. Elaina Patton, Vogue, 19 Aug. 2022 His quest turned into a fierce battle with the editors of his newspaper, city and police officials, and a prominent university. Cara Fitzpatrick, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2022 As Johnson proved over the final 25 laps Sunday, in the midst of a fierce battle with teammate Marcus Ericsson for 5th-place, plenty of that muscle memory is still there. Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 25 July 2022 But that cardplay is in service of the central board, where a fierce battle of territorial control plays out. Aaron Zimmerman, Ars Technica, 22 July 2022 Still, that is a risk that may be worth taking for most apparel sellers, which will be dealing with some fierce price competition in the coming months. Jinjoo Lee, WSJ, 29 Aug. 2022 Easily one of the best reality TV shows out there, RuPaul hosts Drag Race, a fierce talent competition to dub the King or Queen of drag. Sophie Hanson, Harper's BAZAAR, 12 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English fiers, from Anglo-French fer, fers, fiers, from Latin ferus wild, savage; akin to Greek thēr wild animal
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing fierce
Kids Definition
fierce
adjective
ˈfirs
fiercer; fiercest
1
: likely to attack
a fierce animal
2
: having or showing very great energy or enthusiasm
She plays the game with fierce determination.
3
: wild or threatening in appearance
He brandished a fierce sword.
4
: characterized by extreme force, intensity, or anger
a fierce fight
fierce winds
fierce
adjective
1
as in ferocious
violently unfriendly or aggressive in disposition the Vikings had a well-earned reputation for being fierce warriors Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- ferocious
- savage
- vicious
- ruthless
- merciless
- fell
- grim
- brute
- relentless
- menacing
- murderous
- feisty
- militant
- pugnacious
- contentious
- belligerent
- murdering
- warlike
- combative
- bellicose
- wild
- confrontational
- ravenous
- threatening
- assaultive
- scrappy
- gladiatorial
- pitiless
- unrelenting
- truculent
- implacable
- argumentative
- quarrelsome
- barbaric
- disputatious
- take-no-prisoners
- chippy
- bare-knuckled
- bloodthirsty
- bloody
- bestial
- brawly
- bare-knuckles
- in-your-face
- inhuman
- sanguinary
- discordant
- inhumane
- heartless
- bare-knuckle
- uncivilized
- voracious
- homicidal
- blood-and-guts
- rapacious
- wanton
- sanguine
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- gentle
- mild
- warm
- friendly
- tame
- congenial
- genial
- kind
- hearty
- cordial
- compassionate
- amicable
- unaggressive
- submissive
- merciful
- benign
- amiable
- peaceful
- compliant
- companionable
- peaceable
- human
- warmhearted
- comradely
- pacific
- humane
- civilized
- complaisant
- cultured
- obliging
2
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect a fierce wind made the frigid temperatures seem even worse Synonyms & Similar Words
- intense
- ferocious
- intensive
- furious
- deep
- terrible
- vicious
- heavy
- violent
- acute
- profound
- fearsome
- vehement
- explosive
- fearful
- blistering
- frightful
- dreadful
- exquisite
- almighty
- intensified
- excruciating
- heightened
- ghastly
- keen
- hard
- hellacious
- harsh
- aggravated
- heavy-duty
- concentrated
- severe
- accentuated
- deepened
- enhanced
- emphasized
- stressed
- magnified
- thorough
- exhaustive
- rigorous
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- moderate
- soft
- weak
- light
- feeble
- superficial
- shallow
- subdued
- qualified
- eased
- moderated
- decreased
- toned (down)
- diminished
- reduced
- lightened
- lessened
- abated
- alleviated
3
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance the fierce faces of the players on the opposing hockey team Synonyms & Similar Words
- gruff
- intimidating
- stern
- grim
- rugged
- hostile
- severe
- forbidding
- bleak
- stark
- rough
- steely
- ungentle
- stubborn
- flinty
- cold
- dour
- hardened
- lowering
- austere
- dark
- somber
- resolute
- unflinching
- unrelenting
- steadfast
- louring
- implacable
- uncompromising
- determined
- unyielding
- moody
- stiff
- solemn
- black
- adamant
- unfriendly
- inhospitable
- unbending
- obstinate
- serious
- inimical
- rigid
- obdurate
- unsympathetic
- bound
- willful
- purposeful
- hardheaded
- firm
- mulish
- intent
- sullen
- inflexible
- immovable
- hard
- resolved
- brooding
- surly
- sulky
- morose
- melancholy
- fixed
- gloomy
- unsmiling
- unchangeable
- wilful
- self-willed
- melancholic
- cheerless
- set
- glum
- humorless
- immutable
- joyless
- staid
- ironhanded
- sober
- grave
- weighty
- sombre
- sobersided
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- gentle
- mild
- soft
- benign
- tender
- quiet
- meek
- sweet
- soothing
- mellow
- benignant
- easy
- bright
- tranquil
- bland
- cheerful
- pleasant
- nonintimidating
- agreeable
- playful
- inviting
- pleasing
- happy
- silly
- merry
- mirthful
- lighthearted
- sunny
- goofy
- frivolous
- giddy
- glad
- flighty
- scatterbrained
- harebrained
- featherbrained
- light-headed
4
as in aggressive
having or showing a bold forcefulness in the pursuit of a goal a social reformer of fierce and fearless determination Synonyms & Similar Words
- aggressive
- ambitious
- vigorous
- militant
- adventurous
- assertive
- energetic
- daring
- enterprising
- confident
- in-your-face
- pugnacious
- pushy
- bold
- warlike
- belligerent
- self-assertive
- combative
- dynamic
- bellicose
- high-pressure
- feisty
- go-getting
- truculent
- determined
- contentious
- quarrelsome
- emphatic
- self-asserting
- gladiatorial
- gutsy
- strenuous
- domineering
- impudent
- dashing
- disputatious
- insolent
- unapologetic
- argumentative
- unyielding
- cheeky
- cocky
- hustling
- dominating
- brassy
- bumptious
- emboldened
- brash
- venturous
- adventuresome
- unsubdued
- hyperaggressive
- audacious
- discordant
- gung ho
- trigger-happy
- scrappy
- bare-knuckled
- venturesome
- imperious
- overconfident
- overambitious
- obtrusive
- bare-knuckles
- overbearing
- cocksure
- presumptuous
- bare-knuckle
- magisterial
- forward
- lordly
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unaggressive
- easygoing
- unassertive
- nonassertive
- docile
- relaxed
- unambitious
- deferential
- mild
- timid
- submissive
- amenable
- subdued
- acquiescent
- tractable
- quiet
- compliant
- shrinking
- modest
- passive
- yielding
- humble
- ambitionless
- meek
- bashful
- unenterprising
- demure
- shy
- resigned
- laid-back
- low-pressure
- diffident
- reserved
- grovelling
- unobtrusive
- slavish
- lowly
- mousy
- obsequious
- subservient
- mousey
- cringing
- servile
- retiring
- cowering
- groveling
- overmodest
5
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity fierce fighting raged in the streets of the war-torn city Synonyms & Similar Words
- ferocious
- violent
- furious
- turbulent
- rabid
- vicious
- rough
- volcanic
- brutal
- explosive
- hot
- aggressive
- savage
- tumultuous
- tempestuous
- convulsive
- cyclonic
- stormy
- volatile
- paroxysmal
- hostile
- contentious
- destructive
- knock-down-and-drag-out
- blood-and-guts
- frantic
- knock-down, drag-out
- mad
- pugnacious
- hammer-and-tongs
- antagonistic
- barbarous
- belligerent
- combative
- bang-bang
- assertive
- bellicose
- truculent
- frenzied
- quarrelsome
- gladiatorial
- agitated
- combustible
- ruinous
- cataclysmic
- cataclysmal
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- peaceful
- calm
- peaceable
- nonviolent
- serene
- tranquil
- pacific
- unaggressive
- nonbelligerent
- halcyon
6
as in frantic
marked by great and often stressful excitement or activity fierce early-morning trading sent stocks soaring Synonyms & Similar Words
- frantic
- furious
- intense
- ferocious
- mad
- intensive
- violent
- frenzied
- frenetic
- feverish
- rabid
- delirious
- wild
- vehement
- excessive
- concentrated
- extreme
- undue
- inordinate
- exorbitant
- irrational
- crazed
- immoderate
- crazy
- maniacal
- extravagant
- insane
- unconscionable
- deranged
- lavish
- demented
- maniac
- high-pressured
- overweening
- lunatic
- overmuch
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- subdued
- calm
- quiet
- serene
- peaceful
- relaxed
- unperturbed
- moderate
- placid
- tranquil
- reasonable
- untroubled
- undisturbed
- temperate
- easygoing
- casual
- balanced
- sane
- sound
- low-pressure
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of fierce are barbarous, cruel, ferocious, and savage. While all these words mean "showing fury or malignity in looks or actions," fierce applies to humans and animals that inspire terror because of their wild and menacing aspect or fury in attack.
fierce warriors
While in some cases nearly identical to fierce, barbarous implies a ferocity or mercilessness regarded as unworthy of civilized people.
barbarous treatment of prisoners
The meanings of cruel and fierce largely overlap; however, cruel implies indifference to suffering and even positive pleasure in inflicting it.
the cruel jokes of schoolboys
The synonyms ferocious and fierce are sometimes interchangeable, but ferocious implies extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality.
a ferocious dog
Although the words savage and fierce have much in common, savage implies the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people filled with rage, lust, or other violent passion.
a savage criminal