熾 烈(しれつ)

しれつ

na-adjective

fierce; intense; severe

1. fierce; intense; severe; cutthroat

Describes competition, conflict, or struggle that is extremely intense and unrelenting. Conveys a sense of burning intensity.

熾烈(しれつ)な競争(きょうそう)が続(つづ)いている。

Fierce competition continues.

レギュラーの座(ざ)を巡(めぐ)って熾烈(しれつ)な争(あらそ)いが繰(く)り広(ひろ)げられた。

A fierce battle unfolded over the regular starting position.

各社(かくしゃ)の技術(ぎじゅつ)開発(かいはつ)は熾烈(しれつ)を極(きわ)め、新製品(しんせいひん)が次々(つぎつぎ)と発表(はっぴょう)されている。

Technological development among companies has become extremely fierce, with new products being announced one after another.

Usage

熾烈(しれつ) is primarily used to modify nouns describing competition, conflict, or struggle. It is a written/formal word rarely heard in casual conversation.

Common collocations

熾烈(しれつ)な競争(きょうそう) (fierce competition)
熾烈(しれつ)な戦(たたか)い (fierce battle)
熾烈(しれつ)を極(きわ)める (to become extremely fierce)
熾烈(しれつ)な争(あらそ)い (intense rivalry)

Etymology

The kanji 熾(し) means "blazing" and 烈(れつ) means "intense," together conveying the image of a raging fire. This etymology reflects the word's sense of burning, unrelenting intensity.

Related Words

Synonym: 激烈(げきれつ) (violent, intense)

Related: 激(はげ)しい (intense, fierce)

Compare: 苛烈(かれつ) (fierce)

Compare: 壮絶(そうぜつ)な (fierce)

general

Added 2026.3.9 17:35 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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