domestic violence
noun
: violent or abusive behavior directed by one family or household member against another
He helped start Austin's Children's Advocacy Center, which works with abused kids, and a family-justice division of the D.A.'s office, which prosecutes those accused of domestic violence and helps their families get back to normal.—
John Cloud
John Clouda domestic violence hotline
In another disturbing trend, women are victims of domestic violence that spills into the workplace.—Sarah Henry
Sarah HenryExamples of domestic violence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2003, then-boyfriend Tom Sizemore was arrested for domestic violence.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025
Jim Lorentz crossed paths with the American Motel in Wheat Ridge many times — whether as a cop hauling out a domestic violence suspect, as a diner downing comfort food in the restaurant or as a guest in the Elvis suite on his wedding night.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
Mercado, who has handled domestic violence calls, said that police should contact the victim as quickly as possible because time is of the essence in these incidents.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
The situation began after a domestic violence incident in Sterling Heights involving a man, Gary Young, who didn't listen to police commands and led officers on a high-speed chase ending in Roseville.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 19 Sep. 2025
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Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025
Jim Lorentz crossed paths with the American Motel in Wheat Ridge many times — whether as a cop hauling out a domestic violence suspect, as a diner downing comfort food in the restaurant or as a guest in the Elvis suite on his wedding night.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
Mercado, who has handled domestic violence calls, said that police should contact the victim as quickly as possible because time is of the essence in these incidents.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
The situation began after a domestic violence incident in Sterling Heights involving a man, Gary Young, who didn't listen to police commands and led officers on a high-speed chase ending in Roseville.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for domestic violence
Cite this Entry
“Domestic violence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/domestic%20violence. Accessed 28 Sep. 2025.
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