fierce issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fierce issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a topic or problem that is being debated or discussed with intensity or strong emotions. Example: "The debate over climate change has become a fierce issue among policymakers and activists alike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Oliver's latest show featured a long segment where he took fierce issue with politicians and conservative-leaning television news stations portraying the arrival into the European Union of war refugees and migrants, escaping poverty or economic stagnation, in derogatory terms, often with tones of racism or Islamophobia.

The Guardian

Ernesto's world of two countries, difficult border life, socially-conscious music, a deep interest in history and human rights have prepared him to face, as an artist, the recent fierce issue of immigration in this country and in Arizona in particular.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Now they’re in cahoots with Visa’s fiercest competitors, issuing cards for the likes of American Express and Discover, for big retailers launching a new generation of plastic and for insurgents like RevolutionMoney.

Forbes

Prominent judges and lawyers issue fierce public broadsides about large-scale government corruption and social neglect.

The New York Times

Does the Muslim God issue fierce, unbending laws and demand submission, whereas the Christian God stands for love, equal dignity and the right of every individual to be different?

Huffington Post

If I spoke out every single time that someone called me out of my name or labeled me as something that I'm not, I would not have time to advocate for the fierce and urgent issues in my community -- issues of poverty and joblessness, of a lack of healthcare, of violence -- verbal and physical violence -- against trans women.

Huffington Post

Surrounded by fierce controversy, funding issues and internal wrangling, the hearings have been delayed.

Independent

Rumours abound that Mr Kim may be considering another nuclear test, and North Korea has issued fierce threats over the exercises.

The Economist

Those debates have also become fiercer on the issue of immigration and integration, Dr. Brundtland conceded, especially with the growing popularity of the Progress Party, a now mainstream group that focuses on an anti-immigration stance.

The New York Times

Ayatollah Khamenei has the final say on state matters and has issued fierce warnings against Iranians who have challenged the June 12 election, which the incumbent, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, officially won by a landslide.

The New York Times

If positions on foreign policy and specifically the Iraq war marked the dividing line in the Democrats' last fierce internal debate, issues related to banks, entitlements and the rights of consumers broadly could shape the party's next search for an identity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fierce issue" to describe topics that generate strong opinions or intense disagreement. It's appropriate when the emotional or political stakes are high.

Common error

Avoid using "fierce issue" when a more neutral term like "important topic" or "relevant matter" would be more appropriate. "Fierce" implies a high degree of contention, which may not always be present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fierce issue" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "fierce" modifies the noun "issue". It describes the characteristic of a particular issue, indicating that it is highly contested or evokes strong feelings. As Ludwig AI suggests, it denotes intensity and strong emotions surrounding a subject.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fierce issue" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in written English, although relatively rare in occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for describing topics that generate strong emotions or intense disagreement, primarily within news and media contexts. When employing this phrase, remember that "fierce" implies a high degree of contention. If you are looking for alternatives, you can consider "contentious issue" or "heated debate", but make sure that it accurately fits the context you want to portray.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contentious issue

Replaces "fierce" with "contentious", emphasizing the controversial nature of the issue.

heated debate

Shifts the focus to the debate itself being heated, rather than the issue.

intense controversy

Highlights the intensity of the controversy surrounding the issue.

significant problem

Focuses on the importance and potential impact of the issue.

major concern

Emphasizes the worry and anxiety associated with the issue.

burning question

Implies an urgent need for resolution or answer.

thorny problem

Highlights the complexity and difficulty of resolving the issue.

critical matter

Emphasizes the importance and potential consequences of the issue.

serious challenge

Highlights the difficulty and demands posed by the issue.

hot topic

Focuses on current public interest and discussion around the issue.

FAQs

How can I use "fierce issue" in a sentence?

You can use "fierce issue" to describe a topic causing significant disagreement or controversy. For example, "Climate change is a "fierce issue" in political debates".

What are some alternatives to "fierce issue"?

Alternatives include "contentious issue", "heated debate", or "intense controversy", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "fierce issue" or "important issue"?

"Fierce issue" and "important issue" are not interchangeable. "Fierce issue" implies strong disagreement, while "important issue" simply highlights significance. Choose the phrase that best reflects the level of contention involved.

What makes an issue "fierce"?

An issue is considered "fierce" when it elicits strong emotions, divides opinions sharply, and often leads to intense debate and conflict.