violence

noun

ˈvī-lən(t)s How to pronounce violence (audio)
Definition of violencenext
1
as in brutality
the use of brute strength to cause harm to a person or property an act of violence caused the window to be shattered

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2
as in intensity
the quality or state of being forceful (as in expression) taken aback by the violence of her denial of any wrongdoing

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3
as in emotion
depth of feeling some people were taken aback by the violence with which the magazine's art critic attacked the exhibition

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of violence The backlash was swift among Democrats, with critics saying Piker was suggesting that American Jews who support Israel were inviting violence. — Joey Cappelletti, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 At least 22 and perhaps hundreds of Black residents were killed in the violence. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 26 Aug. 2026 Remmick, Jimmy Crystal and Larry Lamb share an unrelenting desire to entertain, whether performing music outside a juke joint, indulging amusement with graphic violence or delighting the British reading public with scandal and drama. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 Studies across diverse geopolitical contexts, including my own work, have shown that such comparisons often precede – and can thus predict – acts of extreme violence. — Irus Braverman, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for violence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for violence
  1. brutality
  2. intensity
  3. emotion
  4. injury
  5. aggressiveness
  6. enthusiasm
  7. assault
  8. warmth
Noun
  • The army Mladic created to fight in Bosnia was a model of ruthlessness, daring and brutality in the Serb warrior tradition, once prized in the life-or-death partisan struggle against the Nazi occupation of Yugoslavia in World War Two.
    — Ivana Sekularac, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Freya is the granddaughter of Athos — a dog who survived the Russian brutality in Bucha and was found on the street where Ukrainian forces destroyed a large Russian convoy, Danylchenko told the Associated Press in an interview.
    — Laurie Kellman, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of brutality
Noun
  • Thom’s uncomfortable intensity carries over to Hamburger Hamlet, where the tension between the couple finally reaches a breaking point.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The tool kit suggests states use concurrent review to compare delivered hours against authorized hours and test whether intensity still tracks progress.
    — JP Montoya, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of intensity
Noun
  • Days filled with screenings, meetings, press conferences, discussion, discoveries, emotion, and, inevitably, a few surprises.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
  • There is a portion of Royals fans who wish manager Matt Quatraro would show more emotion during the season.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of emotion
Noun
  • Parten said two police officers were wounded by gunfire and another had unspecified injuries.
    — Michael Loria, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Players can also request a three-minute medical time-out for each injury that occurs — which could include overheating symptoms such as dizziness or cramps.
    — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of injury
Noun
  • The salaries match, Strus is an expiring contract while Niko has four years left and the 3-point shooting and the aggressiveness of Max are way better than Niko’s.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
  • This could bring up feelings of resentment, competitiveness or passive aggressiveness, especially if there’s been something simmering in the background.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggressiveness
Noun
  • Nvidia posted blockbuster second-quarter results, and the enthusiasm is spilling over into other parts of the semiconductor sector.
    — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Younger consumers' enthusiasm for fall, a desire to plan ahead and retailers' efforts to extend seasonal spending may all be helping drive the shift.
    — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of enthusiasm
Noun
  • He has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury, the department said.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Castro is charged in Minnesota with assault and falsely reporting a crime in the January 14 shooting of 24-year-old Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of assault
Noun
  • For hundreds of thousands of years, our species has enjoyed the warmth and protection of a good fire before bedtime.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Nor is Gadot a performer inclined to lend much more than athleticism to a role that could use some warmth and idiosyncrasy to color its rather generic action-hero gist.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of warmth

Browse Nearby Words

violations
violence
violent
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Cite this Entry

“Violence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/violence. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on violence

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about violence

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