violent
adjective
vi·o·lent
ˈvī-ə-lənt 
1
a(1)
: marked by the use of usually harmful or destructive physical force
a violent attack
violent crime
The peaceful demonstration turned violent.
(2)
: showing or including violence
violent movies
b
: extremely powerful or forceful and capable of causing damage
violent storms
violent coughing
2
: caused by physical force or violence : not natural
a violent death
3
a
: emotionally agitated to the point of using harmful physical force
became violent after an insult
b
: prone to commit acts of violence
violent prison inmates
violently
adverb
Examples of violent in a Sentence
They witnessed a violent struggle between police and protesters.
The peaceful protest suddenly turned violent.
The city has experienced an increase in violent crime in the past year.
The final scene was extremely violent.
She suffered a violent death in a car accident.
The patient suddenly became violent and had to be restrained.
He's not a particularly violent person.
Recent Examples on the Web
Some people in the crowd who refused to leave and blocked traffic engaged in large physically violent fights, causing multiple injuries, the official said.
—
Mark Morales, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
Police added that there may be further victims due to the violent nature of the alleged crime.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
The dreamlike, disturbing stories in this collection by Egyptian writer Makhzangi take place in settings ranging from Egypt toa India to Vietnam to Iraq, often at moments of violent conflict.
—Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
Many players and coaches around the league are doing great things in their communities throughout the offseason, but every domestic abuse arrest detracts from that, and instead adds to a concern that athletes paid to play a violent sport are too often bringing that violence home.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for violent
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Mark Morales, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
Police added that there may be further victims due to the violent nature of the alleged crime.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
The dreamlike, disturbing stories in this collection by Egyptian writer Makhzangi take place in settings ranging from Egypt toa India to Vietnam to Iraq, often at moments of violent conflict.
—Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
Many players and coaches around the league are doing great things in their communities throughout the offseason, but every domestic abuse arrest detracts from that, and instead adds to a concern that athletes paid to play a violent sport are too often bringing that violence home.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for violent
Cite this Entry
“Violent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violent. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
violent
adjective
vi·o·lent
ˈvī-ə-lənt
1
: marked by great force or sudden activity
a violent attack of coughing
violent storms
2
a
: especially furious or emotional
a violent denial of guilt
b
: intense sense 1
violent pain
3
: caused by force
a violent death
4
a
: acting with or characterized by harmful physical force : exercising or marked by violence
a violent person
violent actions
b
: having a tendency to carry out acts of violence
violent prison inmates
violently
adverb
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