vehemence

[ vee-uh-muhns ]

noun

1. the quality of being vehement; ardor; fervor.

   Synonyms: eagerness, fervency, enthusiasm, zeal, verve

   Antonyms: apathy

2. vigorous impetuosity; fury:

   the vehemence of his attack.

   Synonyms: passion

   Antonyms: apathy

Other Words From

• over·vehe·mence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vehemence¹

1520–30; < Latin vehementia; vehement, -ence

Example Sentences

But he makes up for in vehemence what he lacks in girth.

From Los Angeles Times

Republicans have generally encouraged Israel to prosecute its war in Gaza with even more vehemence than their Democratic counterparts.

From Salon

Or, worse, when that world is breaking down with such vehemence that the air seems to grow more toxic by the minute?

From New York Times

But that is to underestimate the symbolic vehemence of the Le Pen name, and the associations it conjures up in the minds of its enemies.

From BBC

The chief justice called the vehemence of the dissent “disturbing.”

From Washington Times

Related Words

• fervor