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

Hassane spoke at the afternoon news conference about the deadly attack at his institution this morning, decrying the conditions that could create such violence. —Dennis Romero, NBC news, 19 May 2026

This naïve view tended to overlook the searing violence of the ‘Cold’ War, and the ever-increasing inequality between nations. —Literary Hub, 18 May 2026

Two years later, a group of Hawaiian royalists held an armed revolt to restore the monarchy, and the provisional government blamed her for the violence. —Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 18 May 2026

Demonstrators wore white hats at a massive march against violence and impunity in Mexico City a few weeks later. —Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 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