ferally
In untamed fashion
In a feral manner—wildly, savagely, or like an untamed animal.
The adverb describes behavior that abandons domestication or civilization: The cat hissed ferally when cornered.
It can apply to humans acting with primal intensity: She grinned ferally at her opponent.
Not domesticated or controlled
- undomesticatedNot bred for captivity
- strayWander from course
- free-roamingAble to wander unrestricted
- roamingMoving without fixed purpose
unrestrained · loose · unbridled · unchecked · uninhibited · unconfined · rampant · vagrant
First in origin
- innateExisting since birth
- visceralArising from deep instinct
- gutDigestive tract, or instinct
- instinctsInnate behavioral tendencies
impulse · survival · reflex · intuitive · unlearned · inborn · natural · automatic
In a brutal manner
- viciouslyIn a brutal manner
- ferociouslyIn a savage manner
- menacinglyIn a threatening way
- predatoryExploiting the vulnerable
ruthlessly · brutally · snarling · lunging · attacking · snapping · growling · threatening
wild
Not domesticated or controlled
- undomesticatedNot bred for captivity
- strayWander from course
- free-roamingAble to wander unrestricted
roaming · unrestrained · loose · unbridled · unchecked · uninhibited · unconfined · rampant · vagrant · nomadic
primal
First in origin
instincts · impulse · survival · reflex · intuitive · unlearned · inborn · natural · automatic · inherent
savagely
In a brutal manner
- viciouslyIn a brutal manner
- ferociouslyIn a savage manner
- menacinglyIn a threatening way
predatory · ruthlessly · brutally · snarling · lunging · attacking · snapping · growling · threatening · hostile
prowling
Moving stealthily while hunting
- stalkingStealthy, persistent pursuit
- scavengingGathering discarded or dead material
- foragingSeeking wild food sources
howling · skulking · circling · crouching · pouncing · hunting · roaming · territorial · pack · nocturnal
ferallydomestically
Within national borders
tamely · docilely · obediently · tractably · manageably
- feral hogsUndomesticated roaming swine
- feral catReverted wild domestic feline
- feral dogsDomesticated canines gone wild
- feral pigsUndomesticated swine populations
- feral animalsFormerly domestic, now wild
- feral childHuman youth raised in wilderness