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
Bravo’s family said the 28-year-old mother of three was ending a violent relationship with Lee in the days before her death.
—
Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 24 Dec. 2025
Patel went from being his own boss and a board member of a global organization of volunteers dedicated to serving children to spending his days and nights at the Cobb County Jail among people accused or convicted of violent crimes.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 23 Dec. 2025
The targets were three undocumented men living in Hempstead, accused of violent crimes.
—Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
Some studies show antipsychotics could limit violent outcomes in patients, but more research is needed to determine whether meds can reduce violence to the same level as the general population.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for violent
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Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 24 Dec. 2025
Patel went from being his own boss and a board member of a global organization of volunteers dedicated to serving children to spending his days and nights at the Cobb County Jail among people accused or convicted of violent crimes.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 23 Dec. 2025
The targets were three undocumented men living in Hempstead, accused of violent crimes.
—Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
Some studies show antipsychotics could limit violent outcomes in patients, but more research is needed to determine whether meds can reduce violence to the same level as the general population.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 23 Dec. 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 28 Dec. 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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