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

Fierceness finishes ahead of Preakness Stakes winner Journalism to win the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on Saturday.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 30, 2025

Sierra Leone finally becomes a winner, charging ahead of Fierceness to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic on a day marred by the death of a horse in another race.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 26, 2024

That kind of weather could benefit six horses that have won in the mud or slop before, including early favorites Fierceness and Sierra Leone.

From Seattle Times • May 4, 2024

Fierceness and cruelty from their interiors show through these forms.

From Heaven and its Wonders and Hell by Ager, John

Related Words

• wildness