violent

adjective

vi·​o·​lent ˈvī-ə-lənt How to pronounce violent (audio)
Synonyms of violent
1
a(1)
: marked by the use of usually harmful or destructive physical force
a violent attack
violent crime
The peaceful demonstration turned violent.
(2)
: showing or including violence
violent movies
b
: extremely powerful or forceful and capable of causing damage
violent storms
violent coughing
2
: caused by physical force or violence : not natural
a violent death
3
a
: emotionally agitated to the point of using harmful physical force
became violent after an insult
b
: prone to commit acts of violence
violent prison inmates
4
a
: notably forceful, furious, or vehement
a violent argument
a violent denunciation
b
: extreme, intense
violent pain
violent colors
violently adverb

Synonyms of violent

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Examples of violent in a Sentence

They witnessed a violent struggle between police and protesters. The peaceful protest suddenly turned violent. The city has experienced an increase in violent crime in the past year. The final scene was extremely violent. She suffered a violent death in a car accident. The patient suddenly became violent and had to be restrained. He's not a particularly violent person.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As the flames approached the community in July, the majority of the village’s 3,500 residents were forced to flee their homes, as hundreds of firefighters were deployed to tackle blazes more violent and unpredictable than in previous years. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026 His sensitivity does not protect him from the violent currents rushing through his friend group, eventually taking him away from his cloistered suburban world. — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2026 Taiwan’s Hsinchu County is implementing the Smart Eye Guardian system to automate the monitoring of public-safety events, including hazards, fires, violent activity, traffic incidents and suspicious behavior. — Lee-Lean Shu, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Police Chief Jason Ta said the case highlighted the importance of teamwork and the community’s vital role in solving violent crimes. — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for violent

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin violentus; akin to Latin vis strength — more at vim

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of violent was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing violent

Rhymes for violent

See All Rhymes for violent

Browse Nearby Words

violence
violent
violently ill
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Cite this Entry

“Violent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violent. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

violent

adjective
vi·​o·​lent ˈvī-ə-lənt How to pronounce violent (audio)
1
: marked by great force or sudden activity
a violent attack of coughing
violent storms
2
a
: especially furious or emotional
a violent denial of guilt
b
: intense sense 1
violent pain
3
: caused by force
a violent death
4
a
: acting with or characterized by harmful physical force : exercising or marked by violence
a violent person
violent actions
b
: having a tendency to carry out acts of violence
violent prison inmates
violently adverb

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