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

He engaged with Fierceness entering the stretch but in the end his late speed was too much for the competition.

From Los Angeles Times

Her only loss was by a head to Fierceness in the Travers Stakes, where she ran against all male horses.

From Los Angeles Times

The 3-year-old colt beat the favored Fierceness, winner of the Travers Stakes, by 1½ lengths.

From Los Angeles Times

Thorpedo Anna could be the star of the Breeders’ Cup, but City of Troy and Fierceness are among the favorites to win the $7-million Breeders’ Cup Classic.

From Los Angeles Times

Thorpedo Anna could be the star of the Breeders’ Cup, but City of Troy and Fierceness are among the favorites to win the $7-million Breeders’ Cup Classic.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• wildness