What does vehemency mean?
Vehemency is a formal noun meaning violent force, passionate intensity, or forceful expression. It is especially associated with angry or impassioned speech, argumentative behavior, and strong emotion. The word gives a somewhat literary and dramatic tone to descriptions such as the vehemency of a protest, a denunciation, or a speaker's response, although vehemence is more usual in modern English. It should not be confused with vehement, the adjective used to describe forceful or impassioned people, actions, or statements. Although its meaning can suggest anger or aggression, vehemency more broadly denotes intense force and energy. The word is also useful when naming the quality of an impassioned expression without directly labeling the speaker as angry or violent.
nounThe quality of being forceful, violent, or impassioned, especially in speech, conduct, or feeling.
- Forceful or violent energy, especially in speech, behavior, or emotion.
"The senator denounced the proposal with such vehemency that several members of the chamber fell silent."
"She answered the accusation with unusual vehemency, insisting that she had never seen the missing document."
"The vehemency of the crowd increased as the speakers took the stage."
The plural is grammatically regular but rarely needed because the word itself is uncommon.
"The report catalogued the vehemencies of the various exchanges without explaining the disagreement that had caused them."
From Latin for violence and force, vehemency gives a suitably dramatic name to the power of an impassioned voice.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of vehemency
Vehemency entered English in the early 17th century from Latin vehementia, a noun meaning violence, force, or ardor. Its immediate Latin source was the adjective vehement-, meaning violent, forceful, or eager. The related English forms vehement and vehemence, as well as French véhémence, continue the same Latin tradition.
How vehemency is actually used
A formal and comparatively uncommon literary word. In contemporary usage, vehemence is generally preferred when referring to violent force or intensity, and vehement is preferred when modifying speech, feelings, or actions.
Easily confused with vehemency
Vehemency and vehemence are closely related nouns for force or intensity, but vehemence is much more common in modern English.
Vehemency is the noun naming forcefulness or passionate intensity, whereas vehement is the adjective describing forceful or impassioned speech, behavior, or feeling.