domestic violence

noun

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of domestic violence

: the inflicting of physical injury by one family or household member on another; also : a repeated or habitual pattern of such behavior

Recent Examples of domestic violence from the Web

Six months earlier, a similar memo pleaded for additional detectives and raised concerns about not having enough detectives to adequately investigate domestic violence cases.

— rachel dissell, cleveland.com, "Cleveland sex crimes, special investigative units more understaffed than patrol," 13 Apr. 2018
That kind of coercive control, particularly over food and finances, often is a key factor in domestic violence cases, Stolar-Peterson said.

— eric levenson, CNN, "How the Hart parents isolated their children to hide signs of abuse," 13 Apr. 2018
Next up, outside cornerback 49ers' Reuben Foster charged with multiple felonies in domestic violence case NFL.com Updated April 12 NFL.com has multiple analysts offering mocks and analysis.

— noel harris, sacbee, "49ers mock drafts: Why analysts are conflicted over ninth pick as decision day nears | The Sacramento Bee," 13 Apr. 2018
Foster will likely face a suspension, regardless of the outcome of the domestic violence case.

— ann killion, San Francisco Chronicle, "49ers’ response to Foster charges is shameful," 12 Apr. 2018
Trey Songz’s felony domestic violence case has been rejected by the Los Angeles District Attorney.

— maria pasquini, PEOPLE.com, "Trey Songz's Felony Domestic Violence Case Rejected by the District Attorney," 9 Apr. 2018
According to a report by TMZ, Trey Songz' recent domestic violence case has been reportedly dropped, because the L.A. District Attorney isn't sold on the case.

— carl lamarre, Billboard, "Trey Songz Reportedly Cleared From Domestic Violence Charge," 9 Apr. 2018
Flacco hasn’t been as consistent since Rice started slowing down in 2013 and was cut a year later after a domestic violence case.

— mike preston, baltimoresun.com, "Mike Preston: Ravens need a third-down passing threat out of the backfield," 9 Apr. 2018
Sentencing guidelines in Michigan domestic violence cases, advocates say, are too low.

— kristen jordan shamus, Detroit Free Press, "Stalker found guilty after threatening to kill ex-wife in Michigan domestic abuse case," 3 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'domestic violence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.