Definition of violent
1a (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 moviesb : 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
3a : emotionally agitated to the point of using harmful physical force became violent after an insultb : prone to commit acts of violence violent prison inmates
4a : notably forceful, furious, or vehement a violent argument a violent denunciationb : extreme, intense violent pain violent colors
violently
adverbPeople Are Reading
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
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After a more violent Palestinian uprising in 2000, Israel built the barrier, which channels all Palestinians entering Israel through heavily fortified crossings to keep out attackers.
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Abu Sayyaf, which is considered one of the smallest yet most violent jihadist groups in the southern Philippines, is notorious for kidnapping for ransom and beheading hostages, as well as for targeting civilians and the army.
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Investigators say his most violent act yet happened over the weekend when a domestic violence dispute spiraled into a killing spree that left eight people dead at three separate homes.
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President Robert Mugabe and many in his government point to rebounding tobacco production as justification for often violent land seizures years ago.
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Dear Tom, Why does the lengthening of days in the spring seem to produce violent storms as opposed to the relative calm in the fall when the days are getting shorter?
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Germany saw a number of violent attacks by Islamic extremists last year, including the deadly truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market that left 12 victims dead.
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In 2013, then-Attorney General Eric Holder instructed prosecutors to not seek mandatory minimum sentences against low-level drug offenders who were not violent, not major recidivists and not leaders of large criminal organizations.
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The school asked the police to help, but authorities have been unwilling to engage in a potentially violent clash with students.
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
VIOLENT Defined for English Language Learners
violent
playDefinition of violent for English Language Learners
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: using or involving the use of physical force to cause harm or damage to someone or something : showing violence
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: caused by physical force or violence
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: trying to physically attack someone because of anger
VIOLENT Defined for Kids
violent
playDefinition of violent for Students
violently
adverb The ground shook violently.Learn More about violent
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for violent Spanish Central: Translation of violent Nglish: Translation of violent for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of violent for Arabic speakers
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