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

Officials said the gun violence took place from May 2025 to late April 2026 in a swath of the South Bronx. — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 30 June 2026

The latest tensions have revived memories of the xenophobic violence of 2008, which killed at least 62 people and displaced thousands. — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 29 June 2026

Their tense coexistence revives buried violence and loss, forcing a fragile chance of reconciliation. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 June 2026

The goal of the academy is to prevent youth violence by empowering students as community leaders and re-engaging them with education. — Michael Abeyta, CBS News, 29 June 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