violent

adjective vi·o·lent \ ˈvī-ə-lənt \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of violent

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

See violent defined for English-language learners

See violent defined for kids

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 of violent from the Web

Durst admitted to shooting Black in self-defense during a violent struggle and to chopping up his body afterward.

— marisa gerber, latimes.com, "Prosecutors say Durst murdered his best friend to cover his tracks for killing another woman: His wife.," 16 Apr. 2018
Shortly after the pair met up at a Whole Foods with the Bitcoin dealer, who police have not identified, the transaction turned violent.

— charles rabin, miamiherald, "Bitcoin deal gone bad lands man with bullet wound and felony charge | Miami Herald," 16 Apr. 2018
Lee Correctional houses about 1,500 inmates, some of South Carolina's most violent and longest-serving offenders.

— NBC News, "Seven inmates killed at South Carolina maximum security prison after hours of fighting," 16 Apr. 2018
Even Trump reflected a prevailing negative view about human rights in the Middle East, the region with the most violent conflicts.

— The Christian Science Monitor, "Trump’s attack on Syria: a bias for hope?," 16 Apr. 2018
Later, The maximum-security facility that houses about 1,500 inmates in Bishopville, about 55 miles from Columbia, is home to some of South Carolina's most violent, longest-serving offenders.

— CBS News, "7 inmates killed in "incident" at maximum security S.C. prison," 16 Apr. 2018
But the group, founded in the late 1980s as a branch of the regionwide Muslim Brotherhood, has held on to its violent ideology, even as conditions deteriorate.

— Washington Post, "AP Analysis: Gaza flare-up driven by deep misery in strip," 15 Apr. 2018
That can include someone with a history of violent behavior, domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, or mental illness.

— kristina davis, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Don't be surprised if your doctor asks you about guns," 15 Apr. 2018
But on April 4, peaceful dissent met a violent end in Memphis.

— USA TODAY, "Nashville and the Destiny of Dissent," 15 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of violent

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year

violent Synonyms

VIOLENT Defined for English Language Learners

violent

adjective

Definition of violent for English Language Learners

: using or involving the use of physical force to cause harm or damage to someone or something : showing violence
: caused by physical force or violence
: trying to physically attack someone because of anger