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

The agency’s authority to investigate stems from Senate Bill 553, which was amended to broaden the scope of employers, including law enforcement agencies, to maintain workplace violence prevention plans. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026

Gregory faces over five charges, including false report or a threat of terrorism and an intentional threat to commit an act of violence against the school. —Terell Bailey, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026

Join me in praying for the victims of such senseless violence and all the families of this church. —Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026

The rise of racist poll taxes, literacy tests and threats of violence, however, whittled away the rights of Black voters until the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. —Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 8 Jan. 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