fierier; fieriest
Synonyms of fiery
1
a
: consisting of fire
fiery tongues playing about the roof of the burning building
b
: marked by fire
a fiery crash
c
: using or carried out with fire
the fiery experiments of the ancient alchemists
d
: liable to catch fire or explode : flammable
a fiery vapor
2
a
: hot like a fire
the fiery taste of red pepper
b(1)
: being in an inflamed state or condition
a fiery boil
(2)
: feverish and flushed
a fiery forehead
3
: of the color of fire : red
a fiery sunset
4
a
: full of or exuding emotion or spirit
a fiery sermon
b
: easily provoked : irritable
a fiery temper
fiery adverb

Examples of fiery in a Sentence

He was killed in a fiery crash. the fiery Yule log made a splendid backdrop for our holiday party
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Dolores Huerta, the fiery and resolute activist who helped launch and guide the nation’s first enduring labor union for poor farmworkers and later became an inspiration to women and liberal true believers, has died. — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026 Bill Marler, a prominent food safety lawyer who filed lawsuits in the wake of the cyclosporiasis outbreak, initially believed lawmakers on Capitol Hill would begin convening fiery oversight hearings demanding explanations. — Megan R. Wilson, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026 Residents in Kansas and Minnesota posted videos of fiery debris crossing the sky shortly after the launch. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026 Both blame each other for the fiery fights, with Lago saying that disagreements between commissioners used to be more civil before Castro and Commissioner Ariel Fernandez were elected in 2023. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fiery

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from fire, fier fire

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fiery was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Fiery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fiery. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

Kids Definition

fierier; fieriest
1
: being on fire : blazing
2
: hot or glowing like a fire
3
a
: full of spirit
a fiery speech
b
: easily set off
a fiery temper
fieriness noun
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