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
After the city’s bloody holiday weekend, Johnson acknowledged the violent crime challenges its residents face every day.
—
Christopher Tremoglie, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Released in September 2025, Blood & Myth follows the Iñupiaq man and respected actor Teddy Kyle Smith, who became a fugitive following a string of violent crimes in the remote town of Kiana, Alaska.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
Researchers measured violent and property crime data from 2023, fatal car accidents, drug overdose deaths and excessive drinking rates.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
Some people who suggest antidepressants may cause violence point to a 2020 Swedish study that found people on SSRIs had a higher rate of convictions for violent crimes, Humphreys said.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for violent
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Christopher Tremoglie, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Released in September 2025, Blood & Myth follows the Iñupiaq man and respected actor Teddy Kyle Smith, who became a fugitive following a string of violent crimes in the remote town of Kiana, Alaska.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
Researchers measured violent and property crime data from 2023, fatal car accidents, drug overdose deaths and excessive drinking rates.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
Some people who suggest antidepressants may cause violence point to a 2020 Swedish study that found people on SSRIs had a higher rate of convictions for violent crimes, Humphreys said.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 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 Sep. 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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