1
as in brutality
the use of brute strength to cause harm to a person or property
an act of violence caused the window to be shattered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intensity
the quality or state of being forceful (as in expression)
taken aback by the violence of her denial of any wrongdoing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in emotion
depth of feeling
some people were taken aback by the violence with which the magazine's art critic attacked the exhibition
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of violence
Higgins began his comments acknowledging the violence in Minneapolis, echoing comments increasingly being heard by state and municipal police officials.
—
Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2026
Many food establishments around the country nonetheless deemed the sacrifice worthwhile today, joining a nationwide strike against ICE’s mass deportations and violence against protesters in Minneapolis and across the country.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
Friends and family members of mine have moved from neighborhood to neighborhood to escape the violence.
—Edwidge Danticat, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
According to the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office, juvenile crime arrests increased 146% in 2024 compared with 2023, but Scott was reelected that same year, touting his Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan, treating violence as a public health issue.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for violence
Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2026
Many food establishments around the country nonetheless deemed the sacrifice worthwhile today, joining a nationwide strike against ICE’s mass deportations and violence against protesters in Minneapolis and across the country.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
Friends and family members of mine have moved from neighborhood to neighborhood to escape the violence.
—Edwidge Danticat, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
According to the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office, juvenile crime arrests increased 146% in 2024 compared with 2023, but Scott was reelected that same year, touting his Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan, treating violence as a public health issue.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for violence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for violence
Noun
-
The department’s oversight, an unprecedented arrangement that began with the infamous Riders brutality scandal in the early 2000s, will continue at least until May.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The movie is happy to have Linda commit acts of brutality to preserve her place on top, but what is true equality if not allowing your anti-heroine to be in all ways just as monstrously self-interested as the men?—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Short-Track Speed Skating 1500m final, often a highlight for its intensity and adrenaline-inducing turns, will take place on February 12.—
Sam Leveridge,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
UConn athletes embody that reality every day — balancing intensity, visibility, and packed schedules.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Your team acts as the buffer between your emotions and the buyer’s demands.—
Lien De Pau,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
These are the romance movies that lean into big emotions, meaningful connections, and the kind of love that lingers long after the credits roll — and will likely leave you balling your eyes out.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
At least four people were transported to the hospital with injuries in connection with the incident at the Langeloth Metallurgical Company facility on Langeloth Road in Smith Township in Washington County, WTAE reported.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The 16-year-old girls were transported to local hospitals following the incident, and both succumbed to their injuries, the department shared in a series of Facebook posts.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
An hour in McIntyre’s company is a warm, convivial whirlwind of enthusiasm, jokes and anecdotes.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Yet, his enthusiasm is tempered by the valuable lessons from his past work in healthcare AI, reminding us of the importance of learning from each step of our journey.—
Sarwant Singh,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Martinez and another man were charged in October with assault with a deadly weapon, accused of following the agents' vehicles and initiating the collision with Exum's SUV that led to the shooting on Chicago's south side.—
James Hill,
ABC News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Pretti was shot while agents were evidently seeking to detain a man, Jose Huerta-Chuma, whom Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino said had an extensive criminal record including domestic assault.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And the first half was a virtuoso blend of aggressiveness and controlling tempo from Payton, as Nix had a couple of deep shots to Marvin Mims and Lil'Jordan Humphrey, but also controlled the game with his legs.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
18 Jan. 2026
-
The 2026 version of the San Diego Mojo is built on a blend of toughness and aggressiveness that shines through with a relentless defense that extends rallies and attempts to frustrate the offense on the other side of the net.—
Tim Meehan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Within the broader terror campaign, the administration is focused on the most vulnerable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Douglas doesn’t understand why his children are partial to their mother, his ex-wife, who was the source of so much instability and terror.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Violence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/violence. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
