ferocious
10 synonyms and 2 antonyms for ferocious, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Extremely fierce, savage, or violent.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use ferocious
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
ferocious attack
ferocious storm
ferocious appetite
Etymology
From Latin ferox, "wild, bold, fierce," plus the adjective ending -ous.
Full origin of ferocious →Frequently asked questions
What does “ferocious” mean?
The word “ferocious” means extremely fierce, savage, or violent. In plain terms, extremely fierce or violent — can describe animals, storms, fights, or just intense degree ("a ferocious appetite").
How do you pronounce “ferocious”?
“Ferocious” is pronounced fuh-ROH-shuhs (/fəˈɹoʊʃəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “ferocious” in a sentence?
Here is “ferocious” used in a sentence: “The dog let out a ferocious growl as the stranger approached.”
What is another word for “ferocious”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ferocious” include fierce, grim, furious, incessive, infuriate and rabid.
What is the opposite of “ferocious”?
The opposite of “ferocious” — its antonyms — are calm and peaceable.
What part of speech is “ferocious”?
“Ferocious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ferocious” come from?
The word “ferocious” comes from Latin. From Latin ferox, "wild, bold, fierce," plus the adjective ending -ous.
Is “ferocious” a common word?
“Ferocious” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
