Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Resembling a tiger in fierceness, ferocity, or aggression: Describes a person, behavior, or quality that is extremely aggressive, determined, and relentless, much like the characteristics associated with a tiger.
   • Marked by a predatory or merciless intensity: Suggests a savage, ruthless, or highly competitive nature.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective:
  • The boxer had a tigerish intensity in his eyes as he entered the ring.
  • Her tigerish determination to win the contract impressed everyone on the team.
  • The general was known for his tigerish tactics on the battlefield.

Advanced Usage

• "tigerish competitiveness": An intense, fierce, and relentless drive to win or succeed.
  • The startup thrived on a culture of tigerish competitiveness.
• "tigerish appetite": A metaphor for an extremely strong or voracious desire, often for food or success.
  • He approached the challenge with a tigerish appetite for victory.

Variants and Related Words

• Tigress (n): A female tiger; sometimes used metaphorically for a fierce or passionate woman.
  • She defended her family with the ferocity of a tigress.
• Tiger (n): The large carnivorous feline; the source of the metaphorical quality.
• Tiger-like (adj): Similar in meaning to "tigerish," describing a resemblance to a tiger.

Synonyms

• Ferocious: Savagely fierce, cruel, or violent.
• Fierce: Having or displaying an intense or aggressive nature.
• Predatory: Seeking to exploit or oppress others.
• Merciless: Showing no mercy or pity.
• Relentless: Unceasingly intense or harsh.

Antonyms

• Gentle: Mild in temperament or behavior.
• Meek: Quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on.
• Merciful: Showing or exercising mercy.
• Timid: Showing a lack of courage or confidence.

Idioms and Phrases

• To have a tiger by the tail: To be in a difficult or dangerous situation that is hard to control. (Note: This idiom uses "tiger," not the adjective "tigerish," but is conceptually related.)
  • By challenging the monopoly, the small company found it had a tiger by the tail.

Adjective

1. resembling a tiger in fierceness and lack of mercy
   • a tigerish fury