Ferocious Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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ferocious

[fəˈrəʊʃəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

animal behavior

extremely aggressive or violent, especially in a wild or frightening way. Ferocious animals are often dangerous and can cause harm to humans or other animals.

Synonyms

fierce, savage, vicious, wild.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
ferocious	Often used to describe something extremely aggressive, intense, or powerful. Typically used for animals or emotions. The ferocious lion roared and charged at its prey. He had a ferocious determination to win the competition.
fierce	Used to indicate intense aggressiveness, passionate intensity, or strong determination. Applicable for animals, natural forces, or even emotions and competition. The fierce storm lasted all night. She gave a fierce performance that captivated everyone.
savage	Describes something brutal, violent, and uncontrolled. Often has a negative connotation, especially when describing actions or behavior. The savage attack left the town in shock. His savage criticism was hard for her to take.
vicious	Refers to something cruel, dangerous, or deliberately harmful. Often carries a strong negative connotation. The dog turned vicious and bit anyone who came near. He spread vicious rumors about his rival.
wild	Describes something untamed, natural, or uncontrollable. Can be used for nature, animals, or even celebrations. They went on a wild adventure through the jungle. The crowd went wild when their team won.

Examples of usage

The ferocious lion roared loudly, warning all other animals to stay away.
The ferocious wolf attacked the hiker without any provocation.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

personality

showing extreme aggression or violence in behavior or attitude. People described as ferocious are often intense, intimidating, and difficult to control.

Synonyms

aggressive, domineering, fierce, intense.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
ferocious	This adjective is used to describe extreme and savage behavior or characteristics. It indicates a level of aggression that is wild and violent. The ferocious storm destroyed everything in its path. A ferocious tiger lunged at its prey.
fierce	Often used to describe someone or something that is very intense and strong. It can relate to both positive and negative situations, from fierce competition to fierce loyalty. She is a fierce competitor on the tennis court. The debate was fierce, with neither side willing to back down.
intense	Used to describe situations, emotions, or activities that are strong, severe, or extreme. It focuses on the depth and concentration of an experience rather than violence. The movie was so intense that I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. He felt an intense amount of pressure before the exam.
aggressive	Typically used when referring to someone or something that is forceful, competitive, or confrontational. It may also imply readiness to attack or start fights. His aggressive attitude made it difficult to work with him. The company plans to take an aggressive marketing approach.
domineering	This term usually describes an individual who tries to control others in an overbearing and authoritarian manner. It carries a negative connotation. She had a domineering personality that intimidated her employees. His domineering father always made decisions for the family.

Examples of usage

His ferocious temper made it hard for others to approach him.
The ferocious competitor would stop at nothing to win the game.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Animals

Certain predators, like sharks and crocodiles, are often described as ferocious due to their hunting methods.
Some species of big cats, such as tigers, showcase fierce hunting techniques that reflect their ferocity.
Many insects, like the praying mantis, display a ferocious attitude during mating and hunting.

Pop Culture

In movies, ferocious characters like the Hulk represent uncontrollable anger and power.
Ferocious beasts often appear in fantasy novels, symbolizing obstacles that heroes must overcome.
Video games frequently feature ferocious monsters that challenge players to demonstrate courage and skill.

Psychology

Studies show that people may exhibit ferocious behavior when threatened, as a survival instinct.
The concept of ferocity can be linked to emotional responses—intense anger can result in aggressive actions.
Understanding ferocious behavior can help in conflict resolution by identifying triggers and managing anger.

Sports

In competitive sports, teams often display 'ferocious' play during high-stakes games to intimidate opponents.
Athletes are praised for their ferocious competitive spirit, driving them to achieve peak performance.
Coaches sometimes motivate teams by encouraging a ferocious attitude towards winning.

Origin of 'ferocious'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'ferox', meaning 'fierce' or 'wild'.
In the 15th century, the term was first recorded in English, capturing the essence of savagery and intensity.
Latin roots link 'ferocious' to 'ferre', meaning 'to bear' or 'to carry', suggesting a strong presence.

The word 'ferocious' originated from the Latin word 'ferox', meaning fierce or wild. It has been used in English since the early 17th century to describe aggressive or violent behavior in both animals and humans.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,459, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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14456 babe
14457 pinched
14458 visualized
14459 ferocious
14460 coronation
14461 chromatin
14462 valour
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