fierceness
Americannoun
-
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.
-
violent force, intensity, etc..
Already the sudden storm is passing, and its fierceness is abating.
-
furious eagerness or intensity of emotion, etc..
As I read her novel my heart was moved by the fierceness of her love for humanity.
-
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 Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of fierceness
First recorded in 1350–1400; fierce ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
He started making up ground on the backside but had too much work to do against a superior Fierceness.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 30, 2025
Her only loss was by a head to Fierceness in the Travers Stakes, where she ran against all male horses.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 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
Fierceness and cruelty from their interiors show through these forms.
From Heaven and its Wonders and Hell by Ager, John
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.