fiercely

[ feers-lee ]

adverb

1. in a menacing, violent, or forceful way:

   The bear stood on his back paws, growling fiercely.

   Currently, some 20 wildfires are raging fiercely through the state.

2. in an eager or intense way:

   Isaiah has developed into a fiercely competitive soccer player.

Other Words From

• o·ver·fierce·ly adverb
• un·fierce·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of fiercely¹

fierce ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Jenny - a senior high school student in China’s Anhui province – says she set her sights on Australia because getting a good quality education there is "easier" than getting into a fiercely competitive Chinese university.

From BBC

His purview would include programs and departments he has fiercely criticized in the past, often in ways that opponents say distort or ignore facts and misinterpret science.

From Los Angeles Times

The singer, songwriter and actor had long played by his own rules as a bachelor and a fiercely independent artist.

From Los Angeles Times

Vice President Kamala Harris lost her campaign for president overnight, breaking the hearts of many, including my wife Caron and four-year-old daughter Cross, who have both fiercely advocated for her victory from the beginning.

From Salon

As supermarkets continue to compete fiercely for customers, Sainsbury's extension of Aldi price match could prompt its rivals to follow to suit.

From BBC

Related Words

• angrily
• boldly
• brutally
• ferociously
• forcefully
• frantically
• furiously
• madly
• mightily
• passionately
• savagely
• severely
• vehemently
• viciously
• wildly