Synonyms of violence

violence

noun

ˈvī-lən(t)s 

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

• brutality
• injury
• assault
• terror
• force
• compulsion
• attack
• foul play
• riot
• outrage
• coercion
• savagery
• pressure
• barbarity
• battery
• damage
• harm
• fury
• mayhem
• threat
• rage
• mutilation
• revolt
• impairment
• duress
• turbulence
• shock
• hurt
• bullying
• upheaval
• maiming
• constraint
• whaling
• crippling
• beating
• detriment
• outbreak
• rampage
• onslaught
• whipping
• frenzy
• clubbing
• rupture
• thrashing
• mauling
• tumult
• bashing
• battering
• pounding
• smashing
• pummeling
• paroxysm
• flogging
• buffeting
• thumping
• hammering
• paddling
• drubbing
• licking
• pelting
• belting
• bludgeoning
• uproar
• batting
• bulldozing
• lacing
• cudgeling
• storm
• browbeating
• walloping
• pommeling
• hectoring
• tromping
• strong-arming
• socking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonviolence
• pacifism
• pacificism

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

• intensity
• intenseness
• aggressiveness
• emphasis
• assertiveness
• vigorousness
• forcefulness
• vehemence
• fierceness
• strength
• power
• warmth
• potency
• eloquence
• insistence
• fervor
• fervency
• stridency
• passion
• directness
• ardor
• vociferousness
• vividness
• ardency
• incisiveness
• incision
• fervidness
• plainness
• absoluteness
• straightforwardness
• clearness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weakness
• ambiguity
• feebleness
• mildness
• subtlety
• lightness
• delicacy
• equivocation

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

• intensity
• emotion
• enthusiasm
• intenseness
• warmth
• passionateness
• passion
• heat
• fire
• fervor
• white heat
• vehemence
• fervency
• zeal
• excitement
• tenderness
• ardor
• compassion
• ardency
• fervidness
• sentimentality
• responsiveness
• sympathy
• emotionalism
• melodrama
• emotionality
• histrionics
• fanaticism
• cathexis
• obsession
• earnestness
• infatuation
• fever
• eagerness
• mawkishness
• sentiment
• zest
• mania
• gusto
• sappiness
• hot-bloodedness
• keenness
• torridness
• torridity

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• insensitivity
• impassivity
• insensitiveness
• insensibility
• impassiveness
• dryness
• indifference
• reticence
• apathy
• calmness
• aloofness
• composure
• phlegm
• reserve
• taciturnity
• stoicism
• stiffness
• unconcern
• stoniness
• insensibleness
• detachedness
• collectedness
• coldness
• reservedness
• coolness
• frigidity
• chilliness
• woodenness
• frigidness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of violence

Perhaps more importantly, Nolan doesn’t shy away from the moral consequences of violence. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 July 2026

Regional analysts have warned of an uptick in violence for Ethiopia and South Sudan. — Peter Hailey, The Conversation, 16 July 2026

In fact, the level of violence can be a bit much at times, which is part of the reason some audiences shied away from it. — William Worrall, Space.com, 15 July 2026

Despite the criticism, the state of emergency remains popular in El Salvador, where many residents have grown tired of the years of violence and praise Bukele for his approach to improving security. — Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026