violent

adjective

vi·​o·​lent ˈvī-ə-lənt 

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

• ferocious
• turbulent
• furious
• fierce
• volcanic
• rabid
• vicious
• rough
• explosive
• brutal

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

There ended up being a fire in the shop, and police discovered the victims (again, content warning for a violent crime), naked, tied up, burned, shot in the head with at least one of them having been raped. —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Shortly thereafter, Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections and staged a violent coup to overthrow the Palestinian Authority and seize control of the Strip. —Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Year-to-date violent crime, as of Aug. 5, is down 26% compared to the year before, and the 2024 figure dropped 35% from 2023. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 7 Aug. 2025

Also, being disturbed by Amber's violent drawings but being hesitant to speak to her honestly about them, for fear of discouraging her, is a place a lot of parents often find themselves. —Devonne Goode, Parents, 6 Aug. 2025

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)

Phrases Containing violent

• violent storm

Rhymes for violent

• nonviolent

Kids Definition

violent

adjective

vi·​o·​lent ˈvī-ə-lənt 

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