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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
But Chaffetz drew the line when speech becomes violent.
—
Michael Ruiz , Stepheny Price , Preston Mizell, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Maigret must outwit some of Paris’s most cunning and violent criminals, while dealing with his own troubled past.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
Although violent crime had largely declined in America’s urban centers in recent years, Musk embraced propaganda about violent Democrat-run cities.
—Jacob Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
On Monday, the committee heard from family members of other victims of violent crime, a local police officer injured in the line of duty and law enforcement experts.
—Mary Ramsey
updated September 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for violent
Michael Ruiz , Stepheny Price , Preston Mizell, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Maigret must outwit some of Paris’s most cunning and violent criminals, while dealing with his own troubled past.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
Although violent crime had largely declined in America’s urban centers in recent years, Musk embraced propaganda about violent Democrat-run cities.
—Jacob Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
On Monday, the committee heard from family members of other victims of violent crime, a local police officer injured in the line of duty and law enforcement experts.
—Mary Ramsey
updated September 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for violent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for violent
Adjective
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In a competition bear-ly more ferocious, 12 chunky brown bears in Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve have been battling it out in one of the most cutthroat places on the planet – the internet.—
Lilit Marcus,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
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The numbers may not leap off the page, but one of Sunday’s most exciting clashes was the 60-minute chess match between the Detroit Lions’ run game and the Cleveland Browns’ ferocious defensive front.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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Safdie perceptively locates the protagonist’s troubling inner contradictions—the atavistic fury that drives him to compete and the intense self-control that competition demands—but dramatizes such outer crises as opioid addiction and conflict with his girlfriend (Emily Blunt) only schematically.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Then a frantic 19-point rally in the closing minutes made the final score feel closer than most of the night’s action let on.—
Manny Navarro,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Getting these fragrance gifts early comes with the benefits of beating the frantic shopping rush and winning at Christmas.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Sell assets for picks and cap space and attack an aggressive rebuild this offseason.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Control an aggressive infestation with a preemergent herbicide applied in late summer before chickweed seeds germinate.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Palace’s results this season are all the more impressive on the back of a turbulent summer that was totally overshadowed by the decisions made by UEFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport to demote the club from the Europa League to the Conference League.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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While hundreds of people who were arrested went free without charge during that turbulent year, prosecutors are now pointing to those past protests in a warning to people who hope to send a message about ICE.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Over the next three days, Stafford and Hanton will lead you through an intensive, interactive bushcraft school.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
5 Oct. 2025
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In India, the government has begun pushing to decarbonize the iron and steel sector, one of the world’s most emissions-intensive industries, driven as much by resource and pollution pressures as by diplomacy.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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After reviewing those court records, anyone with an ounce of humanity would come away furious at the criminal cover-up perpetrated against innocent young children by priests.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
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After going down 26-7 in the third quarter, the Eagles mounted a furious comeback at Lincoln Financial Field.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Divide plants into clumps with three to five vigorous shoots each, discarding any small, weak, or woody portions.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 Sep. 2025
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Only 22% of kids did moderate-to-vigorous exercise before bed, in rare, short bouts.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Violent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/violent. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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