violence

vi·o·lence

noun \ˈvī-lən(t)s, ˈvī-ə-\

Definition of VIOLENCE

1

a : exertion of physical force so as to injure or abuse (as in warfare effecting illegal entry into a house) b : an instance of violent treatment or procedure

2

: injury by or as if by distortion, infringement, or profanation : outrage

3

a : intense, turbulent, or furious and often destructive action or force <the violence of the storm> b : vehement feeling or expression : fervor; also : an instance of such action or feeling c : a clashing or jarring quality : discordance

4

: undue alteration (as of wording or sense in editing a text)

Examples of VIOLENCE

1. They need to learn how to settle their arguments without resorting to violence.
2. movies filled with sex and violence
3. The violence of the storm caused great fear.

First Known Use of VIOLENCE

14th century

Related to VIOLENCE

Synonyms: force, foul play

Antonyms: nonviolence

Related Words: coercion, compulsion, constraint, duress, pressure; barbarity, brutality, savagery; damage, detriment, harm, hurt, impairment, injury; crippling, maiming, mayhem, mutilation; assault, attack, bashing, battering, battery, batting, beating, belting, bludgeoning, buffeting, clubbing, cudgeling (or cudgelling), drubbing, flogging, hammering, lacing, licking, mauling, paddling, pelting, pommeling (or pommelling), pounding, pummeling (also pummelling), smashing, socking, thrashing, thumping, tromping, walloping, whaling, whipping; frenzy, fury, onslaught, outbreak, outrage, paroxysm, rage, rampage, revolt, riot, rupture, shock, storm, terror, threat, tumult, turbulence, upheaval, uproar; browbeating, bulldozing, bullying, hectoring, strong-arming

Near Antonyms: pacificism, pacifism

see all synonyms and antonyms

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