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
The story of a violent but ultimately fruitful encounter between Norman and Saxon worlds was coherent, accessible, and deeply relevant to the ideas and customs that still undergird much of British (and American) life.
—
Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
In the wake of violent Labor Day protests, Wilson doubled down on the city's commitment to sanctuary policies.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Add to that the toll AIDs, the crack epidemic, and violent crime had exacted on American cities and the context of the crackdown becomes more clear.
—Andrew Pasquier, Them., 18 Sep. 2025
He was also charged with felony discharge of a firearm causing serious body injury, obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering and commission of violent offense in the presence of a child, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray announced on Tuesday.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for violent
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Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
In the wake of violent Labor Day protests, Wilson doubled down on the city's commitment to sanctuary policies.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Add to that the toll AIDs, the crack epidemic, and violent crime had exacted on American cities and the context of the crackdown becomes more clear.
—Andrew Pasquier, Them., 18 Sep. 2025
He was also charged with felony discharge of a firearm causing serious body injury, obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering and commission of violent offense in the presence of a child, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray announced on Tuesday.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for violent
Cite this Entry
“Violent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violent. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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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