fierce penalty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fierce penalty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a severe or harsh punishment for a particular action or offense. Example: "The company imposed a fierce penalty on employees who violated the code of conduct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He made a clutch of excellent saves, most notably from Sidwell's fierce penalty and Hugo Rodallega's thumping 50th-minute header.

The Guardian - Sport

Barcelona's Villa skipped past Roman Hubnik to crack a firm shot under Petr Cech before lashing a fierce penalty past the Chelsea goalkeeper, right in the corner, after Iniesta was fouled by Jan Rezek.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was no coincidence that last month Mr Castro proposed, and his rubber-stamp legislature at once approved, fierce penalties for all who "collaborate" with the American government or, specifically, with foreign media in the effort to strangle Cuba's economy or upset its socialist system.

The Economist

There is a continual game of cat and mouse between the North Korean authorities and people who want to talk to the outside world - for which there are fierce penalties.

BBC

Justice Marshall was a fierce opponent of the death penalty.

The New York Times

Yet the choice of penalty triggered a fierce reaction; Sir Nick Faldo was among those who called on Woods to withdraw from the tournament.

The Guardian - Sport

Such views, as with his fierce support of the death penalty and opposition to abortion, may play well with the dwindling numbers of social conservatives and earn him nicknames like the "Fox News justice".

The Guardian

PSG had won the away leg 2-1 despite Zlatan Ibrahimovic's sending off and seemed content to sit back in an uneventful first half but the match came to life 10 minutes into the second period when Valencia's Brazilian forward Jonas pounced on a loose ball to rifle home a fierce shot from outside the penalty area.

The Guardian - Sport

Had one fierce shot and an ambitious penalty appeal waved away.

BBC

Greig Laidlaw landed a penalty against a fierce wind with the last kick of the game for a stunning 9-6 victory.

BBC

Nugent could have doubled the lead before Vaughan drove in a fierce shot from inside the penalty area that again brought the best out of Schmeichel.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fierce penalty" to describe situations where the punishment is notably severe or intensely applied, especially in contexts like sports, law, or organizational policy. It effectively conveys the seriousness of the consequence.

Common error

Avoid using "fierce penalty" in casual or lighthearted situations where the intensity of the adjective might seem disproportionate to the context. Opt for milder terms like "significant consequence" or "notable fine" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fierce penalty" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "fierce" modifies the noun "penalty". Ludwig AI suggests that it correctly describes a severe or harsh punishment.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fierce penalty" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a severe punishment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not as common as other alternatives like "severe punishment" or "harsh penalty", it is suitable for contexts where emphasizing the intensity of the punishment is desired. It is particularly useful in news and sports media. The phrase is best reserved for situations where the consequence is notably strong, and should be used cautiously in informal contexts to avoid appearing overly dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe punishment

Replaces "penalty" with a more general term for punishment, implying strictness.

harsh penalty

Similar to "fierce penalty", emphasizes the unpleasantness and severity of the penalty.

strict penalty

Focuses on the unyielding nature of the penalty.

heavy penalty

Emphasizes the significant impact or burden of the penalty.

stiff penalty

Implies a rigid and unbending application of the penalty.

draconian penalty

Suggests an extremely severe and often excessive penalty.

stringent penalty

Highlights the rigorousness and demanding nature of the penalty.

vigorous penalty

Emphasizes the energetic and forceful application of the penalty.

tough penalty

A more informal way of expressing a severe penalty.

extreme penalty

Highlights the unusual and intense degree of the penalty.

FAQs

What does "fierce penalty" mean?

"Fierce penalty" refers to a severe or harsh punishment, often used in the context of sports or legal matters. It emphasizes the intensity and strictness of the penalty.

What can I say instead of "fierce penalty"?

You can use alternatives like "severe punishment", "harsh penalty", or "strict penalty" depending on the context.

Is "fierce penalty" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "fierce penalty" is not as common as other alternatives like "severe penalty". Its usage often depends on the desired emphasis on the intensity of the punishment.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "fierce penalty"?

"Fierce penalty" is appropriate in contexts where the punishment is meant to be perceived as notably strong or forceful, such as in discussions about sports rule violations, legal punishments, or corporate disciplinary actions.