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

• force
• foul play

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

More than 1,700 people have been killed this year— 1,086 in February and March, according to the U.N. — in violence fueled by criminal groups trying to expand their territorial control and overthrow the government. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025

Abby’s friends are nervous, even disgusted at this point, horrified at her capacity for violence. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Part of Abrego Garcia’s 2019 agreement was to shield him from violence in El Salvador. —Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 20 Apr. 2025

Many of those later pardoned by the Republican president assaulted police officers and otherwise used violence to stop the peaceful transfer of power, and juries determined their actions to be criminal — felonies, in many cases. —Ali Swenson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 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