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
• coercion
• outrage
• savagery
• pressure
• barbarity
• battery
• damage
• harm
• mayhem
• threat
• fury
• rage
• mutilation
• revolt
• impairment
• duress
• turbulence
• hurt
• shock
• 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

The head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation spy agency, Mike Burgess, on Tuesday reiterated an earlier warning that politically motivated violence was a top security concern, along with espionage and foreign interference. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Take the quiz here … LISTEN Tune in to explore common misconceptions about gun violence in America, the history of the Second Amendment, and why preventing homicides may require a different approach to public safety. — FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

France’s justice minister vowed a hard line, while Parliament opened an inquiry into the violence and authorities’ policing strategy, with findings expected by year’s end. — Tom Nouvian, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Major retailers including luxury groups such as Louis Vuitton and Rolex and beauty retailer Sephora were caught up in the violence, Reuters reported. — Sadie Andrew, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026