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

• 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

Survey data collected by the APA’s Task Force on Violence against Educators and School Personnel suggested many teachers had considered leaving the profession due to violence. —IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025

While the Holocaust Museum highlights past atrocities, mass violence and persecution continue to unfold. —Kelly Haramis, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025

Almost all the youths — 98% — who participated in the program were not injured by gun violence in 2024. —Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025

All four of my grandparents came to California about a hundred years ago to escape the economic hardships and continuing violence in the wake of the decade-long Mexican Revolution that ostensibly ended in 1920. —Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025

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