violent

adjective vi·o·lent \ ˈvī-ə-lənt \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 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

—

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

Americans in the region, however, are encouraged to keep a low profile should the protests turn violent.

— editors, USA TODAY, "Trump visits Queen Elizabeth II, Wimbledon semifinals, Supermoon Solar Eclipse: 5 things to know Friday," 13 July 2018
As the afternoon dragged on, tensions flared and the scene at times turned violent.

— adam shaw, Fox News, "Thousands march against Trump in rowdy London protests," 13 July 2018
As a heat wave gripped England over the weekend and the government tottered, with two cabinet ministers resigning on Monday, there were enormous impromptu gatherings on the street, some celebratory, some that turned violent.

— jonathan wilson, SI.com, "Gareth Southgate Makes Own Luck in Guiding England to World Cup Semifinals," 10 July 2018
Demonstrations turned violent, and at least 142 protesters have been killed by Israeli troops, according to Gaza's health ministry.

— NBC News, "An Israeli shell killed Amr Samour in Gaza, even though he wasn't a protester," 9 July 2018
Within each category, the site ranked metrics such as cities' credit ratings, long-term debt, high school graduation rates, infant mortality, violent crime, unemployment, median income growth, water quality and access to public transportation.

— sven berg, idahostatesman, "Congratulations, Nampa and Boise. You're among the 'best-run cities' in America.," 9 July 2018
King, the prince of nonviolence, received steady streams of criticism from politicians, journalists and clergy for engaging in peaceful demonstrations that, by stoking the anger of white supremacists, threatened to turn violent at any moment.

— peniel e. joseph, Washington Post, "America’s nonviolent civil rights movement was considered uncivil by critics at the time," 4 July 2018
Hamas , the group that rules Gaza and is sworn to Israel's destruction, has led three months of protests that turned violent.

— wafaa shurafa, chicagotribune.com, "Palestinians say 13-year-old killed by Israeli gunfire along border fence," 30 June 2018
Southworth said entitlement is a common thread among men who turn violent.

— refinery29.com, "The Capital Gazette Shooting Is A Tragic Reminder: Take Abuse Of Women Seriously.," 29 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

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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