Composed of 猛 (fierce, ferocious) + 然 (in such a manner). Almost always used in the form 猛然と, with the particle と marking it as an adverb.
Common collocations
- 猛然と立ち向かう: to stand up against fiercely
- 猛然と反論する: to argue back furiously
- 猛然と走る: to run furiously
- 猛然と襲いかかる: to attack ferociously
Similar words
- 激しく: intensely, violently — more common in everyday speech
- 猛烈に: fiercely, intensely — similar intensity but used as a na-adjective stem
- 果敢に: boldly, daringly — emphasizes courage rather than raw force