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

4

a

: notably forceful, furious, or vehement

a violent argument

a violent denunciation

b

: extreme, intense

violent pain

violent colors

violently adverb

Synonyms of violent

• ferocious
• turbulent
• fierce
• furious
• vicious
• volcanic
• rabid
• rough
• explosive
• brutal

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

Tyrone Williams faces 10 charges in Roxbury District Court, including multiple assault and firearms charges, compounded by having a previous violent crime or drug crime conviction. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 10 Jan. 2026

Another violent image now joins the grim archive that has made Minnesota an unwilling stage for national trauma for years running. —Phil Morris The Minnesota Star Tribune, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026

Safavi said the blackout coincided with violent confrontations in several regions. —Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026

Parallel societies in certain urban areas and rising violent crime statistics linked to some migrant cohorts in countries such as Sweden and Germany led to the dramatic rise of populist and patriotic parties across the continent, from France to Italy to the Netherlands. —Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin violentus; akin to Latin vis strength — more at vim

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing violent

• violent storm

Rhymes for violent

• nonviolent

Kids 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