violence

noun

vi·​o·​lence ˈvī-lən(t)s 

ˈvī-ə-

1

a

: the use of physical force so as to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy

b

: an instance of violent treatment or procedure

2

: injury by or as if by distortion, infringement, or profanation : outrage

3

a

: intense, turbulent, or furious and often destructive action or force

the violence of the storm

b

: vehement feeling or expression : fervor

also : an instance of such action or feeling

c

: a clashing or jarring quality : discordance

4

: undue alteration (as of wording or sense in editing a text)

Synonyms of violence

• brutality
• injury
• assault
• terror
• force
• compulsion
• attack

Examples of violence in a Sentence

They need to learn how to settle their arguments without resorting to violence.

movies filled with sex and violence

The violence of the storm caused great fear.

Recent Examples on the Web

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's office is set to roll out a new ad campaign this week targeting domestic and gender-based violence. —Allen Devlin, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026

After the assassination of Haiti’s President, Jovenel Moïse, in 2021, left the country in the grip of gang violence, the team has trained and played its home games abroad, most recently in Curaçao. —Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026

Tariq’s father, Azim Khamisa, a businessman, forgave the young man who killed his son and has spent his life working to prevent youth violence. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026

Since then, Hengaw has documented a sharp rise in mobile checkpoints, vehicle searches, and violence against civilians. —ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing violence

• anti-violence
• counter-violence
• domestic violence
• do violence to

Rhymes for violence

• nonviolence

Kids Definition

violence

noun

vi·​o·​lence ˈvī-ə-lən(t)s 

1

: the use of force in a way that harms a person or property

2

: great force or energy especially of a destructive kind

the violence of the storm caused great fear