fierceness

[ feers-nis ]

noun

1. a menacingly wild, savage, or hostile quality or character:

   In spite of the fierceness of the enemy barrage, the line was made secure.

   After many threats, he rushed at me with the fierceness of a wolf.

2. violent force, intensity, etc.:

   Already the sudden storm is passing, and its fierceness is abating.

3. furious eagerness or intensity of emotion, etc.:

   As I read her novel my heart was moved by the fierceness of her love for humanity.

4. the quality of being extremely bad or severe:

   Only by the fifth day, when the fierceness of the headache started to decrease, was she able to move normally again.

Other Words From

• o·ver·fierce·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fierceness¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; fierce ( def ) + -ness ( def )

Example Sentences

All beauty pageant charm and perkiness, Crystal is like a Beth Henley character infused with a few drops of Martin McDonagh’s deranged fierceness.

From Los Angeles Times

Some Democratic leaders worry that the fierceness of the campaign could make the race against Hogan harder.

From Seattle Times

His enemies hate him with an indescribable fierceness.

From Salon

In 1857, English writer Charles Lamb described the taste of pineapple as, “almost too transcendent” and “a pleasure bordering on pain, from the fierceness and intensity of her relish.”

From Salon

For Gefter, the fierceness with which George and Martha spar, and the fact that they remain a team, is a reflection of their flawed but undying love.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• wildness