1
as in ferocious
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
a violent explosion that left several buildings seriously damaged
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
a violent thunderstorm
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in frantic
marked by great and often stressful excitement or activity
our guest's imminent arrival provoked a violent effort to get the place cleaned up
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4
as in aggressive
marked by or uttered with forcefulness
prone to violent denunciation of anyone who disagrees with her violent brushstrokes that were a trademark of the abstract artist
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of violent
The president sent National Guard soldiers to Los Angeles to quell sometimes violent demonstrations regarding the detainment of dozens.
—
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 19 June 2025
Toward the end of his career, his music became a little bit more macho and a little bit more violent.
—Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 19 June 2025
Johnny has a troubling violent streak that lands him in a serious legal dispute, which ties into the Sinclair sisters’ inheritance games and Carrie’s relationship with her longtime partner and Gat’s uncle, Ed (Rahul Kohli).
—Alyssa Davis, People.com, 19 June 2025
Their blood is on his hands, and every single Republican in Congress that fails to loudly decry his incessant violent rhetoric is complicit.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for violent
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 19 June 2025
Toward the end of his career, his music became a little bit more macho and a little bit more violent.
—Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 19 June 2025
Johnny has a troubling violent streak that lands him in a serious legal dispute, which ties into the Sinclair sisters’ inheritance games and Carrie’s relationship with her longtime partner and Gat’s uncle, Ed (Rahul Kohli).
—Alyssa Davis, People.com, 19 June 2025
Their blood is on his hands, and every single Republican in Congress that fails to loudly decry his incessant violent rhetoric is complicit.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for violent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for violent
Adjective
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The Manchester City striker is one of the global game’s most ferocious and intelligent goalscorers.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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Now, she’s added another competitive event to her list of favorites: F1, or Formula 1, largely considered the world's most ferocious and high-tech form of auto racing.—
Marco della Cava,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Moster has long been a target of intense scorn in the Orthodox world.—
Asaf Elia-Shalev,
Sun Sentinel,
24 June 2025
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Beijing is also working to draw Europe closer as the continent faces intense pressure from Washington; for example, China has lifted sanctions on members of the European Parliament and dangled other concessions ahead of an EU-Chinese summit scheduled for July 2025.—
Oriana Skylar Mastro,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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And when Paul manages to elude his overseers and explore the surrounding area — spurring a frantic search, the menacing tenor of which raises Lise’s hackles — the movie effectively becomes a prison drama, with the trio’s eventual interviewee depicted as a shadowy warden who can decide their fate.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2025
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When Nemo strays away from his reef and gets lost in the big open ocean, his frantic father teams up with the ever-forgetful Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) to find him.—
Meg Walters,
EW.com,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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But the Cubs and Yankees will likely be much more aggressive in pursuing him than the Brewers will.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 June 2025
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Cross-examination of the victims’ two surviving roommates will likely be aggressive, especially of Dylan Mortensen.—
Jean Casarez,
CNN Money,
28 June 2025
Adjective
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Even Zelensky – who has had a turbulent relationship with Trump – came away with wins.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
25 June 2025
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Reina, Fil-Am team center back, brings us on this turbulent journey, culminating in an intimate trip to her grandmother’s hometown in the Philippines.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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Meta is also making major investments in geothermal technology as a less fossil fuel–intensive way to generate power.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
19 June 2025
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Apex scavengers are disproportionately affected by activities like intensive livestock production, land use changes and the wildlife trade.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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But the Thunder weathered the Pacers’ furious comeback bid on Monday, with Jalen Williams scoring 11 of his game-high 40 points in the fourth.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2025
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Georgia’s roommate Cooper (perhaps a production plant) then goes and tells Ava, who’s furious and, in turn, tells Riley.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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That means doing your best to get in at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous exercise, along with two days of strength training, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).—
Korin Miller,
Flow Space,
16 June 2025
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These Asian species spread very easily to natural areas, where their vigorous growth smothers native plants.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Violent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/violent. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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