fier-, feroci- +

(Latin: wild, untamed)

ferocious (adjective), more ferocious, most ferocious
1. A reference to something that is extreme and violent: Jack’s wife was especially afraid of the dog which was always so ferocious with his barking and snarling whenever she walked past the neighbor's house.
2. Descriptive of a savagely fierce or cruel situation: After a very ferocious and violent argument between two colleagues in the staff meeting, it was decided to suspend the conference until the next day.
3. Conveying unrelenting intensity, very great, or a high degree: The ferocious fires in California have been destructive to many homes and unbearable for thousands of people.
Relating to cruelty or savage behavior.
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ferociously
1. In a physically fierce manner: "The evening silence was disturbed by dogs barking ferociously."
2. Exhibiting or given to extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality.
ferociousness
1. Exhibiting or given to extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality.
2. A trait of extreme cruelty.
ferocity
1. Characterized by being wild or turbulent.
2. Savage wildness or fierceness; fury; cruelty: "They saw the ferocity of lions fighting over the dead antelope."
3. Fierceness indicating a savage heart.
fierce
1. Marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions.
2. Inclined to react violently; fervid.
3. Characterized by or showing aggression or anger: "We were startled by the fierce guard dog barking at the fence."
4. Characterized by the violence or intensity of the forces, activity, or participants involved in an activity; such as, a fierce battle or a fierce storm.
5. Deeply and intensely felt and often aggressively expressed.
fiercely
1. In an emotionally fierce manner: "The mother was fiercely proud of her children."
2. In a physically fierce manner.
3. Having a savage and violent nature; ferocious: "The cat fiercely fought the dog which had attacked her."
4. Extremely severe or violent; terrible.
5. Extremely intense or ardent: "He was fiercely loyal to his family."
fierceness
1. Eagerness for blood; fury; such as, the fierceness of a lion or a bear.
2. Quick to attack; keenness in anger and resentment.
3. Violence; outrageous passion: "I can't stand his excessive fierceness."
4. Vehemence; fury; impetuosity.