Ferocious | Definition of ferocious by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of FEROCIOUS

1

: exhibiting or given to extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality <a ferocious predator>

2

: extremely intense <ferocious heat>

— fe·ro·cious·ly adverb

— fe·ro·cious·ness noun

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Origin of FEROCIOUS

Latin feroc-, ferox, literally, fierce looking, from ferus + -oc-, -ox (akin to Greek ōps eye) — more at eye

First Known Use: 1646

Related to FEROCIOUS

Synonyms: acute, almighty, blistering, deep, dreadful, excruciating, explosive, exquisite, fearful, fearsome, intense, fierce, frightful, furious, ghastly, hard, heavy, heavy-duty, hellacious, intensive, keen, profound, terrible, vehement, vicious, violent

Antonyms: light, moderate, soft

Synonym Discussion of FEROCIOUS

fierce, ferocious, barbarous, savage, cruel 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>. ferocious implies extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality <a ferocious dog>. barbarous implies a ferocity or mercilessness regarded as unworthy of civilized people <barbarous treatment of prisoners>. savage implies the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people filled with rage, lust, or other violent passion <a savage criminal>. cruel implies indifference to suffering and even positive pleasure in inflicting it <the cruel jokes of schoolboys>.