ferocious

[ fuh-roh-shuhs ]

adjective

1. savagely fierce, as a wild beast, person, action, or aspect; violently cruel:

   a ferocious beating.

   Synonyms: rapacious

2. extreme or intense:

   a ferocious thirst.

ferocious

/ fəˈrɒsɪtɪ; fəˈrəʊʃəs /

adjective

1. savagely fierce or cruel

   a ferocious argument

   a ferocious tiger

Derived Forms

• ferocity, noun
• feˈrociously, adverb

Other Words From

• fe·rocious·ly adverb
• fe·rocious·ness noun
• nonfe·rocious adjective
• nonfe·rocious·ly adverb
• nonfe·rocious·ness noun
• unfe·rocious adjective
• unfe·rocious·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferocious¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin ferōc-, stem of ferōx “savage, fierce” ( fer(us) “wild” ( feral ¹, fierce ) + -ōx “having such an appearance”; akin to eye ( def ), oculus ( def ), -opsis ) + -ious

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferocious¹

C17: from Latin ferox fierce, untamable, warlike

Synonym Study

See fierce.

Example Sentences

The paramilitary RSF, led by general Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has been at war with Sudan’s regular army under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan since April 2023 when the two former allies took up arms against each other in a ferocious power struggle.

From BBC

Upon closer scrutiny, the ferocious animal appeared to be a person in a costume, detectives said.

From Los Angeles Times

A few seconds later, he grabbed a miss from Mack and elevated for a ferocious putback dunk.

From Los Angeles Times

The world champions were pushed hard by the ferocious Scots, who created - but did not take - multiple chances in a pivotal period during the second half.

From BBC

The warnings Wednesday morning were dire: Southern Ventura County was primed to be hit with the region’s most ferocious Santa Ana wind event in years, creating extremely critical fire weather in the area.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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