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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of violence
The visit came a day after the first American pontiff marked the first anniversary of his election as head of the Catholic Church and as the United Nations details in a new report how the spreading violence by armed groups continues to devastate Haitians’ lives.
—
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 9 May 2026
Oakland Interim Police Chief James Beere defended the department's proactive enforcement efforts despite the recent violence against officers.
—Da Lin, CBS News, 9 May 2026
That statement shows the mental gymnastics that some leftists use to equate speech with violence.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 9 May 2026
In the 81 days since, the strike has become unusually acrimonious, with the WGA West leadership accusing employees of acts of violence and intimidation.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for violence
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 9 May 2026
Oakland Interim Police Chief James Beere defended the department's proactive enforcement efforts despite the recent violence against officers.
—Da Lin, CBS News, 9 May 2026
That statement shows the mental gymnastics that some leftists use to equate speech with violence.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 9 May 2026
In the 81 days since, the strike has become unusually acrimonious, with the WGA West leadership accusing employees of acts of violence and intimidation.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for violence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for violence
Noun
-
This includes re-enshrining, codifying and strengthening our inalienable rights in the United States and abolishing ICE to ensure immigration and the struggle of migrants is treated as a civilian one, requiring support instead of brutality and criminalization.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Although their relationship begins as a love story, the book brings home the profits of Jacob’s earlier brutality—fate catches up to him, and everything that is love and passion sort of spoils into wrath and obsession.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The intensity of its light continues to grow as Rich and Abby Zawadzki lead the way in the circle.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
The article explored the poignant sibling renaissance between Vuong and his younger brother Nicky after the death of their mother; the decade-wide gulf between their life experiences became less notable as the process of bereavement threw them together with great intensity.—
Sarah Moroz,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
There was a lot of emotion, a lot of talk.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Over the past 10 years, Quinn has seen an increase in challenging behavior and more emotions among her 6- and 7-year-olds, with a particular ramp-up since the pandemic.—
Stacker,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Since he was originally called up last week, Bennett has made two starts to help the Red Sox weather a significant run of injuries to the starting rotation.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
8 May 2026
-
Michael Loria The United Nations called out Israel over its strikes killing healthcare workers, saying the World Health Organization has recorded 151 such attacks resulting in 103 deaths and 230 injuries.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Noun
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On the heels of this enthusiasm, Manus, on March 5, 2025, released an AI tool that took the tech to the next level, from generating ideas to autonomously completing tasks.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Oliver, a New York Times bestselling author who previously worked with Henry Winkler on the Hank Zipzer series, was moved by Hawn's enthusiasm.—
Eric Andersson,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Fritchey was initially arrested for first-degree assault.—
Christine Pelisek,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
-
In March, Jackson was found guilty of first-degree murder, assault of a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage/stillbirth, and felony firearm.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
Noun
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Embiid’s aggressiveness early — along with Tyrese Maxey’s speed and ability to put defenders in bad positions — put the Knicks in unfavorable foul trouble early.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
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The team with the league’s highest payroll going down in the first round to a heavy underdog is bad for business, but Allen changed the entire dynamic with his defensive aggressiveness and rebounding.—
Jason Lloyd,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Eduardo Rodrigues Cavalcante, a receptionist at a hotel adjacent to the school, described scenes of terror, as some students tried to jump over a wall separating the school from the hotel.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
-
Kellison plays Bennett, a high-energy terror.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Violence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/violence. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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