English Dictionary
Definition of “ferocious”
ferocious (fəˈrəʊʃəs
)
Definitions
adjective
- savagely fierce or cruel ⇒
a ferocious tiger
a ferocious argument
Alternative Forms
feˈrociously adverb ferocity (fəˈrɒsɪtɪ) feˈrociousness noun Word Origin
C17: from Latin ferox fierce, untamable, warlike
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
=
cruel,
bitter,
brutal,
vicious,
ruthless,
relentless,
barbaric,
merciless,
brutish,
bloodthirsty,
barbarous,
pitiless,
tigerish,
Usage examples
The Superintendent of the wards in which the girls wore themselves out day and night was a ferocious disciplinarian.
Townsend, Eileen, In Love and War (1989)Now that Northern Ireland's Troubles are coming to an end, or at least abating, this war of words has grown more ferocious.
Spiked (2002)Her two younger sisters have already paired up with their own life partners, while her parents ' disapproving gaze grows ferocious.
Globe and Mail (2003)The only thing he forgot was the ferocious battle necessary for an immediate return to the Premier.
Glasgow Herald (2002)Giscard d'Estaing inherited from his family great wealth, many political contacts and a ferocious intelligence.
Wright, Vincent, The Government and Politics of France (1989)
