Vehemente

Vehemente is an adjective used in several Romance languages, notably Portuguese, Italian, and Spanish, to describe something characterized by intense force, passion, or energy. In English, the cognate form is vehement. The term conveys strong conviction, emotional intensity, or forceful expression.

Etymology and forms

Vehemente derives from Latin vehement- and vehementis, meaning violent or forceful. The Latin root gave rise to related forms in the Romance languages: Portuguese and Spanish vehemente/vehemente and Italian veemente. Across these languages, the word retains a sense of power, urgency, and intensity, with nuances that range from fervent defense to vehement rhetoric.

Usage

Vehemente is typically used to describe opinions, emotions, or actions delivered with notable intensity. It often implies zeal or emphasis, and can carry a sense of passion, urgency, or even aggressiveness depending on context. In literature and rhetoric, it characterizes speeches, arguments, or descriptions marked by strong, uncompromising energy. In everyday language, it may describe fervent advocacy, a forceful argument, or an ardent reaction.

Examples

In Portuguese: "Ele fez uma defesa veemente do projeto." In Italian: "Ha tenuto un discorso veemente." In Spanish: "Presentó una defensa vehemente." These usages illustrate how the term spans genres from formal oratory to everyday speech, consistently signaling intense character or delivery.

Related terms

The English cognate is "vehement" and the related noun is "vehemence." Similar forms exist in other Romance languages, with the French equivalent being véhément.