violence

noun

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vi·o·lence | \ ˈvī-lən(t)s

, ˈvī-ə- \

Definition of violence

1a : 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

3a : 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 & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about violence

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Synonyms & Antonyms for violence

Synonyms

force,
foul play

Antonyms

nonviolence

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 An agoraphobic woman living alone in New York begins spying on her new neighbors, only to witness a disturbing act of violence. — Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, "New on Netflix May 2021," 1 May 2021 Officers confirmed that there were no threats of violence. — cleveland, "Man threatens hospital staff: Richmond Heights Police Blotter," 30 Apr. 2021 Over six large areas — biomes — players learn about her, and the planet that seems to doom those who visit, to cycles of violence. — Washington Post, "‘Returnal’: It really stressed me out, man," 30 Apr. 2021 Escondido police officials say Steven Olson had a history of violence, served time in prison and had been arrested 188 times for various criminal offenses over about 20 years. — Gary Warth, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Brother of police shooting victim says video shows excessive force," 30 Apr. 2021 Travis and Gregory McMichael were charged with one count of using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. — Erin Donaghue, CBS News, "Three defendants in Ahmaud Arbery killing charged with federal hate crimes," 29 Apr. 2021 Travis McMichael and his father, Gregory McMichael, were charged with one count each of using, carrying, and brandishing (in Travis's case discharging) a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. — Madeline Holcombe, CNN, "Federal indictment for Ahmaud Arbery's accused killers is one step closer to justice, mother says," 29 Apr. 2021 The McMichaels are also charged with using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. — Michael Balsamo, chicagotribune.com, "US indicts 3 on hate crime charges in death of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia," 28 Apr. 2021 Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett, however, raised the legitimate stakes for schools in potential scenarios of cheating on academic assignments and student threats of violence that might take place electronically, off campus. — Devin Dwyer, ABC News, "Supreme Court debates student free speech rights on social media," 28 Apr. 2021

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

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Last Updated

3 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Violence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violence. Accessed 13 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for violence

violence

noun

English Language Learners Definition of violence

: the use of physical force to harm someone, to damage property, etc.

: great destructive force or energy

See the full definition for violence in the English Language Learners Dictionary

violence

noun

vi·o·lence | \ ˈvī-ə-ləns

Kids Definition of violence

1 : the use of force to harm a person or damage property

2 : great force or strength especially of a kind that involves destruction Timothy was not purposely trying to frighten me about the violence of the storm …— Theodore Taylor, The Cay