Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of vehemence
Explanation
Something with vehemence is forceful and energetic. If you passionately believe that your neighbor is mistreating his dog, speak to him with vehemence. Vehemence is the quality of being vehement, or powerful. We often describe passionate speeches as having vehemence. You could also describe a violent natural event as vehement. A hurricane sweeps onto coastal land with destructive vehemence. If your dancing style is wild and involves throwing your limbs every which way as fast as possible, then you dance with vehemence.
Vocabulary lists containing vehemence
A Tale of Two Cities
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The Devil's Arithmetic
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The Joy Luck Club
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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.
No revolutionary, Wood writes, “defended with more vehemence common ordinary people against the aristocracy—‘against being ridden like horses, fleeced like sheep, worked like cattle, and fed and cloathed like swine and hounds.’
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
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 ● Feb. 16, 2024
The chief justice called the vehemence of the dissent “disturbing.”
From Washington Times ● Oct. 1, 2023
“The Defendants’ actions here represent a calculated and deliberate attack on the Plaintiffs’ reputation and goodwill that is unusual in its vehemence and persistence,” wrote Judge Robert Kugler in his order issued Friday.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2023
“This is company business,” Dad replied without his usual vehemence.
From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam
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.
