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 tiger

   a ferocious argument

Other Word Forms

• ferocity noun
• ferociously adverb
• ferociousness noun
• nonferocious adjective
• nonferociously adverb
• nonferociousness noun
• unferocious adjective
• unferociously 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 Old Firm are now in a ferocious battle with each other to determine who has the angriest fans.

From BBC

The ferocious dust storm around the event’s temporary Black Rock City forced organizers to shutter the event’s gates and its nearby airport as the weather service warned of a “wall of blowing dust.”

From Los Angeles Times

Proceedings had to be halted and the jury discharged, however, after he was stabbed in a "ferocious attack" in prison.

From BBC

However, Gassama popped up three minutes after coming on and seven minutes after that opener to slash a ferocious shot in off the post to halt the hosts' momentum.

From BBC

It reveals that ferocious terror birds were much more vulnerable to predators than previously thought.

From BBC

Related Words

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