tigerish
/'taigəriʃ/ Cách viết khác : (tigrish) /'taigriʃ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- resembling a tiger in fierceness and lack of mercy
- a tigerish fury