feral 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfir-əl How to pronounce feral (audio)
Definition of feralnext
1
as in wild
living outdoors without taming or domestication by humans animal experts discourage homeowners from trying to adopt feral animals as pets

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in brute
having or showing the nature and appetites of a lower animal a novel that reveals just how thin the veneer of civilization is and how feral we are at bottom

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

feral

2 of 2

noun

as in animal

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective feral differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of feral are bestial, brutal, and brutish. While all these words mean "characteristic of an animal in nature, action, or instinct," feral suggests the savagery or ferocity of wild animals.

the struggle to survive unleashed their feral impulses

In what contexts can bestial take the place of feral?

While the synonyms bestial and feral are close in meaning, bestial suggests a state of degradation unworthy of humans and fit only for beasts.

bestial depravity

When would brutal be a good substitute for feral?

Although the words brutal and feral have much in common, brutal applies to people, their acts, or their words and suggests a lack of intelligence, feeling, or humanity.

a senseless and brutal war

When is brutish a more appropriate choice than feral?

The meanings of brutish and feral largely overlap; however, brutish stresses likeness to an animal in low intelligence, in base appetites, and in behavior based on instinct.

brutish stupidity

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of feral
Adjective
The City of Ripon is moving forward with an ordinance aimed at protecting an endangered species by prohibiting people from feeding feral cats and stray animals on public property. — Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 The game starts with a flashback 30 years ago to a feral, filthy Wolverine who’s living alone in the wilderness. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
Hathaway is no stranger to action movies, but seldom have her contributions to the form been so dirt-under-the-fingernails feral. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 Showrunner Sam Levinson brought his own ideas, too, encouraging the team to move beyond the whimsical and the experimental into the feral. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for feral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feral
  1. wild
  2. brute
  3. animal
  4. wilding
  5. brutal
  6. beastie
  7. savage
  8. animalistic
Adjective
  • The surging Phillies moved into a tie for the first NL wild-card position entering Monday, though the Cubs hold the season series tiebreaker over Philadelphia.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • San Diego leads Arizona by a half-game in the race for the National League’s final wild-card spot.
    — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of wild
Adjective
  • Combined with stealth and an extensive skill tree, these systems encourage players to adapt rather than rely solely on brute force.
    — Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Even the herculean efforts to acquire capabilities for the conflict with Iran largely amounted to a collection of waivers, special actions, and brute-force leadership.
    — Doug Beck, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of brute
Noun
  • Whale calls can travel as far as 100 kilometers underwater, which means the animals can be located by comparing when those calls reach receivers embedded along the ocean floor.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The animal was brought to safety as crews continued efforts to extinguish the fire and secure the scene.
    — Denis Akbari, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of animal
Adjective
  • This experience prioritizes the animals’ wellbeing by focusing on increasing the population, collecting data, and working with experts who have success in re-wilding.
    — Jack Tydeman, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2025
Definition of wilding
Adjective
  • Within a span of four months in Fort Worth last year, Watkins and Snellings were killed in similarly brutal attacks in the Near Southside and Historic Southside sections of the city.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Even so, when investor confidence broke in 1997, the adjustment was swift and brutal.
    — MICHAEL PETTIS, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of brutal
Noun
  • Greg and Denise are having some marital issues, but everybody needs to put other concerns aside to stay alive with nasty raptors and other hungry beasties around.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
  • And when that happens, astronomers will set about studying these new beasties with other eyes on the sky to learn more about them and hopefully understand them.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 24 July 2026
Definition of beastie
Adjective
  • Cole, who has to maneuver his way around 20 savage crew members, each of whom will need to be killed, doesn’t waste a homicidal movement.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The savage battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa had already demonstrated the ferocity with which Japanese forces would defend their homeland.
    — James M. Scott, Time, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of savage
Adjective
  • An animalistic sense of intimidation coils beneath each gesture as Bracken offers a remarkable follow-up to her breakout role as a stern clairvoyant.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026
  • Their natural scent is complex and often described as animalistic.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 21 July 2026
Definition of animalistic

Browse Nearby Words

fens
feral
ferals
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Feral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feral. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All