feral

adjective

fe·​ral ˈfir-əl 

ˈfer-;

ˈfe-rəl 

1

: of, relating to, or suggestive of a wild beast

feral teeth

feral instincts

2

a

: not domesticated or cultivated : wild

feral animals

b

: having escaped from domestication and become wild

feral cats

feral noun

Synonyms

• savage
• unbroken
• undomesticated
• untamed
• wild
• wilding

Choose the Right Synonym for feral

brutal, brutish, bestial, feral mean characteristic of an animal in nature, action, or instinct.

brutal applies to people, their acts, or their words and suggests a lack of intelligence, feeling, or humanity.

a senseless and brutal war

brutish stresses likeness to an animal in low intelligence, in base appetites, and in behavior based on instinct.

brutish stupidity

bestial suggests a state of degradation unworthy of humans and fit only for beasts.

bestial depravity

feral suggests the savagery or ferocity of wild animals.

the struggle to survive unleashed their feral impulses

Examples of feral in a Sentence

They led a feral existence.

animal experts discourage homeowners from trying to adopt feral animals as pets

Recent Examples on the Web

The Turbo models are borderline feral with over 700 horsepower combined from their turbo V8 engines and hybrid systems. —Kyle Hyatt, Robb Report, 17 June 2024

Shoulda behaved better, Lady F. Pen probably would’ve helped with your money troubles if your feral parenting style hadn't driven her to pick up her pen in the first place. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 13 June 2024

Our kitty, Phoebe, was feral, but has been domesticated with us for five years. —Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 13 June 2024

While Indiana used to have a big feral swine problem, there currently are no known populations in the state at this time. —Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 12 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin feralis, from Latin fera wild animal, from feminine of ferus wild — more at fierce

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

feral

adjective

fe·​ral ˈfir-əl  ˈfer- 

: having escaped from domestication and become wild

feral cats