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
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
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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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
Cite this Entry
“Violent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violent. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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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