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ferocity

ferocity

18 6.8
A very strong, violent feeling or action
  • noun
  • /fəˈrɑːsɪti/
translation icon : ferocidad
  • The lion charged at its prey with such ferocity that it stunned everyone watching.
  • such ferocity

I felt like all the, all the, the ferocity of that feeling went away.

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Examples

  • They fight with a ferocity unlike anything I've seen.

  • Elite politics was characterized by ferocity and intrigue, as rivals would rather risk all than lose all.

    Academic text (1998)
  • So yeah, I would say that the percentage of ferocity within the political landscape has definitely increased over the last couple of years.

  • We scared them off with our fierce ferocity.

  • "My friend was shocked by the ferocity of my reaction, as was I."

    Academic text (2010)
  • The ferocity of the French taunting took him completely by surprise.

  • Women spent money at trunk shows with a ferocity that was frightening.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Nobody knows the ferocity of the competition better than Valentino Rossi.

  • With their guard down, led by Rodrigo, the Castilians attacked with such ferocity that the Leonese never knew what hit them.

  • Rain poured down on them, a torrent of such ferocity that Par was left almost blinded.

    Fiction book (1993)

Synonyms

brutality
vsferocity
  • Offensive
187 5.6

Very cruel and violent actions that hurt people

is wild and intense in quality rather than specific cruel acts
violence
vsferocity
34 4.3

A very strong natural force that causes damage, like a storm or eruption

is about raw intensity rather than broad force or turbulence
fury
vsferocity
31 3.9

Strong wild force in nature, like a storm or big waves

is a quality of wildness rather than a burst of force or feeling
savagery
vsferocity
  • NSFW
20 7.4

Extreme cruelty or violence that hurts people

is about wild intensity rather than focused cruelty
viciousness
vsferocity
10 6.3

Being very cruel and violent toward other people or animals

is wild and intense but not always intentionally cruel
fierceness
vsferocity
6 3.5

A strong feeling or force, for example during a storm

is similar but more severe or harshly aggressive
savageness
vsferocity
1 7.5

Being very wild and fierce and likely to harm people or things

is equally wild but emphasizes raw intense quality
ferociousness
vsferocity
1 7.0

Very violent and cruel actions that frighten people

is wild and intense but less focused on cruelty

Antonyms

19 1.3

A kind, calm way of treating people or animals

9 2.7

A state without strong feelings or worry in your mind

1 3.3

A gentle, calm way of treating people

How Fierce

barbarity
6 8.4
savagery
  • NSFW
20 7.4
ferocity
18 6.8
fierceness
6 3.5

Surface Forms

ferocity singular
ferocities plural

Morphology

ferocity = fierce (semi-transparent) = feroc + ity

The connection to 'fierce' is evident, but the spelling change from 'fierce' to 'feroc' might not be immediately clear to learners.

Etymology

Ferocity comes from the Latin word ferox, which means 'wild' or 'fierce'. It shares the same root as ferocious, so think of a ferocious lion or a violent storm: ferocity is the wild, powerful strength or intensity behind something.