violent

adjective

vi·​o·​lent ˈvī-ə-lənt How to pronounce violent (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dressed in a Versace shirt and gleaming gold chain, Shakur was still out on bond, still basking in the glow of stardom, brushing off a violent altercation with a Crip gang member inside a Sin City casino that had transpired just hours earlier after a Mike Tyson boxing match. Danielle Bacher, People.com, 1 July 2025 The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.- and Israel-backed group, has faced backlash over reports of violent and even deadly incidents around its secure sites. Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025 Before long, his life is plagued by a series of mysterious, sinister incidents that threaten to upend his success and bring about a most violent demise. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 July 2025 On June 25, Monroe officers used a drone to track down a violent offender who had fled into a wooded area, police said. Maia Nehme, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for violent

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)

Time Traveler
The first known use of violent was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Violent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violent. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

violent

adjective
vi·​o·​lent ˈvī-ə-lənt How to pronounce violent (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on violent

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