violent

adjective vi·o·lent \ ˈvī-ə-lənt \

|Updated on: 11 Jul 2018

Examples: violent in a Sentence

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

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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

Aum made a public apology for its violent acts in 1999 and pledged to compensate victims.

— author: stuart biggs, gearoid reidy, Anchorage Daily News, "Japan executes cult leader and 6 others for deadly 1995 sarin attack," 6 July 2018
He was given to frequent outbursts, and was physically violent with his wife — sometimes even publicly.

— anne thériault, Longreads, "Queens of Infamy: Joanna of Naples," 3 July 2018
In addition, the study participants had no history of psychiatric or neurologic disease or injury, all of which are associated with violent tendencies.

— sharon begley, STAT, "Can zapping people’s brains reduce violence? Controversial study sees potential," 2 July 2018
The woman described Ramos’ violent tendencies as emerging much earlier.

— talia richman, baltimoresun.com, "'He can no longer silence me': Woman harassed by alleged Capital Gazette shooter speaks on 'Today' show," 2 July 2018
Elections since 2002 have been both violent and rigged.

— The Economist, "Can foreign observers keep Zimbabwe’s election clean?," 28 June 2018
However, XXXtentacion’s public legacy is also stained by the hip-hop star’s violent tendencies, the most horrendous accounts of which were directed at women and a gay man.

— refinery29.com, "XXXtentacion & The Dangers Of Honoring Black Men Unconditionally," 27 June 2018
Most of the ways that the GOP and its members are being protested aren’t remotely violent.

— jennifer wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "Why You Need to Say No to Civility," 27 June 2018
But depressive thoughts don't automatically result in violent tendencies, said Marie Williams, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

— mandy mclaren, The Courier-Journal, "Gov. Matt Bevin blames school shootings on phones, psychotropic drugs," 26 June 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

NEW! Time Traveler

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