Na-adjective (keiyodoshi), Noun
fierce (fight, competition, etc.); severe; hot; hard; bitter; keen; cutthroat
このままでは熾烈な情報戦に勝てない。CIOの首を挿げ替えよう。This is a bruising information war. At this rate we'll never come out on top. We've got to replace our CIO.
Also written し烈【しれつ】