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 of violent

• ferocious
• turbulent
• fierce
• furious
• vicious
• volcanic
• rabid
• 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

This design effectively absorbs violent shockwaves that would otherwise shatter conventional armor. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026

Art thieves in Europe are committing more violent robberies and specialist gangs have been replaced by ad hoc ​opportunists recruited through social media, pan-European police body Europol said last month. — Reuters, NBC news, 8 Sep. 2026

Europol does not keep statistics on nihilistic violent extremism because definitions of it differ and acts can fall into the category of ordinary criminality as well as terrorism. — Lorne Cook, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026

Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency, has highlighted a shift in tactics in museum thefts, from deception and stealth to more aggressive and violent methods. — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026

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