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
violently
adverb
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
Baltimore crime numbers Baltimore City is continuing to see a multiyear decline in violent crime, with a 23% drop in homicides through the first five months of 2026, according to Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott.
—
Cbs Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 23 June 2026
The Haredi campaign to reinstate the exemptions has not been limited to political maneuvers or Knesset politicking — outraged ultra-Orthodox men have taken to the streets in violent protest of the change.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 23 June 2026
On his Instagram, happy photos of his family living the American dream are interspersed with violent admonitions about the forces lurking in his own community and seeking to destroy him.
—Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Aerion Targaryen Aerion Targaryen (Finn Bennett), also known as Aerion Brightflame, is a volatile and cruel Targaryen prince infamous for his arrogance and violent behavior.
—Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for violent
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Cbs Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 23 June 2026
The Haredi campaign to reinstate the exemptions has not been limited to political maneuvers or Knesset politicking — outraged ultra-Orthodox men have taken to the streets in violent protest of the change.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 23 June 2026
On his Instagram, happy photos of his family living the American dream are interspersed with violent admonitions about the forces lurking in his own community and seeking to destroy him.
—Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Aerion Targaryen Aerion Targaryen (Finn Bennett), also known as Aerion Brightflame, is a volatile and cruel Targaryen prince infamous for his arrogance and violent behavior.
—Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for violent
Cite this Entry
“Violent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violent. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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