fierce´ness

fierce´ness
fierce fierce «fihrs», adjective, fierc|er, fierc|est.
1. savage; wild; ferocious: »

A wounded lion can be fierce.

2. Figurative. raging; violent: »

fierce anger, a fierce attack. A fierce wind blows very hard. Moloch…the strongest and the fiercest spirit That fought in heaven, now fiercer by despair (Milton).

3. Figurative. very eager or active; ardent: »

fierce determination to win, fierce efforts to get ahead.

4. Slang, Figurative. very bad, unpleasant, or harmful: »

This heat is really fierce.

╂[< Old French fers, or fiers < Latin ferus wild]
–fierce´ly, adverb.
–fierce´ness, noun.
Synonym Study 1 Fierce, ferocious, savage mean wild and cruel. Fierce suggests violence of feeling, manner, or action: »

He was a fierce fighter.

Ferocious suggests a very cruel or brutal appearance or disposition: »

That man looks ferocious.

Savage suggests the lack of all civilized restraint or compassion: »

He has a savage temper.


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • fierce´ly — fierce fierce «fihrs», adjective, fierc|er, fierc|est. 1. savage; wild; ferocious: »A wounded lion can be fierce. 2. Figurative. raging; …   Useful english dictionary

  • Fierce — Fierce, a. [Compar. {Fiercer}; superl. {Fiercest}.] [OE. fers, fiers, OF. fier, nom. fiers, fierce, savage, cruel, F. fier proud, from L. ferus wild, savage, cruel; perh. akin to E. bear the animal. Cf. {Feral}, {Ferocity}.] 1. Furious; violent;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • fierce — [ fırs ] adjective ** 1. ) involving very strong feelings such as determination, anger, or hate: fierce debate/criticism: The proposals provoked a fierce debate. a ) very angry or ready to attack: FEROCIOUS: He looked so fierce. a fierce lion 2.… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • fierce — fierce·ly; fierce·ness; fierce; …   English syllables

  • fierce — [[t]fɪərs[/t]] adj. fierc•er, fierc•est 1) menacingly wild, savage, or hostile 2) violent in force, intensity, etc 3) furiously eager or intense: fierce competition[/ex] 4) inf Informal. extremely bad or severe: a fierce cold[/ex] • Etymology:… …   From formal English to slang

  • fe|ro´cious|ness — fe|ro|cious «fuh ROH shuhs», adjective. 1. very cruel; fierce; savage: »The bear s ferocious growl terrified the hunter. SYNONYM(S): ruthless, brutal, murderous, pitiless, barbarous. See syn. under fierce. (Cf. ↑fierce) 2. Informal, Figurative.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • sav´age|ness — sav|age «SAV ihj», adjective, noun, verb, aged, ag|ing. –adj. 1. not civilized; barbarous: »savage customs. Gaudy colors please a savage taste. ... the barriers, which had so long separated the savage and the civilized nations of the earth… …   Useful english dictionary

  • grim´ness — grim «grihm», adjective, grim|mer, grim|mest. 1. without mercy; stern, harsh, or fierce: »grim, stormy weather. SYNONYM(S): cruel, merciless …   Useful english dictionary

  • dour´ness — dour «dur, dowr», adjective. 1. gloomy or sullen: »The boy was sulking in dour silence. 2. stern; severe: »a dour look. His dour remarks frightened the child. The Prime Minister is immensely popular among the stolid and dour northerners (New York …   Useful english dictionary

  • ea´ger|ness — ea|ger1 «EE guhr», adjective. 1. wanting very much; desiring very strongly; anxious to do or get something: »The child is eager to have the candy. 2. characterized by or showing keenness of desire or strength of feeling: »eager looks, an eager… …   Useful english dictionary

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