# fiercely

/ˈfɪɹsɫi/ (US) · /fˈiəsli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fiercely
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. with anger or aggression

adverb · CEFR B2

in a way that is angry, violent, or very strong.

For teachers: in a physically or emotionally aggressive manner; with intense hostility or power.

- The wind blew fiercely against the windows during the storm.
- The two rival teams competed fiercely for the championship title, refusing to concede even a single point until the final whistle.

### 2. with strong emotion or loyalty

adverb · CEFR B2

with a very strong feeling of pride, love, or protection.

For teachers: with extreme intensity of emotion, conviction, or commitment.

- She is fiercely protective of her children and their privacy.
- The local community is fiercely independent and has resisted several attempts by the central government to merge their council with the neighbouring city.

### 3. extremely

adverb · CEFR C1 · Academic

used to emphasize that something is very strong or difficult.

For teachers: used as an intensifier to indicate a high degree of a quality, often one that is competitive or challenging.

- The tech industry is fiercely competitive, so new companies must work hard to survive.
- The debate over the new environmental policy was fiercely contested by both political parties throughout the legislative session.

## Examples

- The two teams competed fiercely for the trophy.
- She is fiercely independent and prefers to handle all her financial decisions without any outside help.
- The local community fiercely resisted the proposed development, arguing that the high-rise towers would permanently alter the historic character of the neighborhood.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.