Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The character or state of being vehement; the energy exhibited by one who or that which is vehement.
  • noun Force or impetuosity accompanying energetic action of any kind; impetuous force; impetuosity; boisterousness; violence; fury: as, the vehemence of wind; to speak with vehemence.
  • noun Synonyms Force, might, intensity, passion.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun The quality or state of being vehement; impetuous force; impetuosity; violence; fury.
  • noun Violent ardor; great heat; animated fervor.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun An intense concentration, force or power.
  • noun A wild or turbulent ferocity or fury.
  • noun Eagerness, fervor, excessive strong feeling.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun intensity or forcefulness of expression
  • noun the property of being wild or turbulent

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Old French, from Latin vehementia ("eagerness, strength"), from vehemens ("eager").

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Examples

  • Seen in terms of fear of indictment, impeachment and prosecution, the vehemence is quite understandable. blah Says:

    Matthew Yglesias » Yes, Hypocrisy Matters 2007

  • Moreover, a man who renders an answer in this style will in consequence find himself calling vehemence vehement and excess excessive: for there is such a thing as a vehement conviction: if then conviction be ‘vehemence’, there would be a ‘vehement vehemence’.

    Topics 2002

  • While Egypt has periodically sought the return of the bust, "this vehemence is a new stage," said Dietrich Schulenburg, a spokesperson for Bernd Neumann, Germany’s Minister of State for Culture.

    Egypt Vows ”Scientific War” If Germany Doesn’t Loan Nefertiti | Impact Lab 2007

  • Their vehemence was a little bewildering at first, given the benign -- and boring -- state-mandated content.

    Linda Flanagan: The Republican Plan for Planned Parenthood Linda Flanagan 2011

  • But his very force of delivery, and his vehemence were a part of the man, and he no more could have preached in another manner than have changed his stature.

    Frank H. Nelson of Cincinnati Warren Crocker Herrick

  • And the anomaly he presented in what might be called the vehemence of his advocacy of an outworn orthodoxy, in his occupation of the pulpit of St. John's, had quickened at once her curiosity and antagonism.

    The Inside of the Cup — Volume 06 Winston Churchill 1909

  • And the anomaly he presented in what might be called the vehemence of his advocacy of an outworn orthodoxy, in his occupation of the pulpit of St. John's, had quickened at once her curiosity and antagonism.

    Project Gutenberg Complete Works of Winston Churchill Winston Churchill 1909

  • And the anomaly he presented in what might be called the vehemence of his advocacy of an outworn orthodoxy, in his occupation of the pulpit of St. John's, had quickened at once her curiosity and antagonism.

    The Inside of the Cup — Complete Winston Churchill 1909

  • Her vehemence was a sort of self-defense; it was a subtle confession that she felt in this little repelling personality the challenge of an equal; but Blair only gaped at her in childish confusion; and instantly his mother was herself again.

    The Iron Woman Margaret Wade Campbell Deland 1901

  • There was not one hint about him of the beggar's emphasis, the outburst of revolting gratitude, the rant and cant, the "God bless you, Kind, Kind gentleman," which insults the smallness of your alms by disproportionate vehemence, which is so notably false, which would be so unbearable if it were true.

    Across the Plains: With Other Memories and Essays 1892

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