fierceness

American  

[feers-nis] / ˈfɪərs nɪs /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• overfierceness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of fierceness

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

Example Sentences

With Sovereignty out, early favorite's status falls to Fierceness, who finished second to Sierra Leone in last year's Classic at the same Del Mar track.

From Barron's • Oct. 29, 2025

Mystik Dan, if he wins the Malibu, is likely to make the final three for the Eclipse for 3-year-old male, although Fierceness is the favorite.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 25, 2024

He was second to Fierceness in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2024

Fierceness and jockey John Velazquez will break from the No. 17 post, which has never produced a derby winner.

From Seattle Times • May 4, 2024

I cou'd transform my Soul to any Shape; Nay, I could even teach my Eyes the Art To change their natural Fierceness into Smiles; —What is't I wou'd not do to gain that Heart!

From The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume II by Summers, Montague

Related Words

• wildness