violent

adjective

vi·​o·​lent ˈvī-ə-lənt How to pronounce violent (audio)
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

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 Her supporters say her office pushed low-level offenders into diversion, yes, but struck sensible plea deals with others and aggressively prosecuted repeat and violent offenders. Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024 The four-count indictment centers on the events of Jan. 6, 2021, when Trump pushed Republicans to reject Biden’s Electoral College victory even as the Capitol was under threat by a violent pro-Trump mob. Kevin Breuninger,dan Mangan, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2024 As deaths have risen, so too has the number of police officers charged with violent on-duty crimes, including murder, manslaughter, and assault, the group found. Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 18 Oct. 2024 Whereas The Remainder was preoccupied with the ghosts of a violent dictatorship, Clean exposes more contemporary cultural fault lines that are just as destabilizing and, in their immediacy, more urgent. Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for violent 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'violent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near violent

Cite this Entry

“Violent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violent. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on violent

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