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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of violent
Officers have been repeatedly filmed shooting pepper spray or powder directly into the faces of people who do not appear to be violent or threatening.
—
Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026
Decriminalize possession, expunge non-violent records, and allow responsible agricultural and industrial use while requiring permits for commercial sales.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
There’s also a sense that the woman no longer recognizes the 20-year-old woman who went down a violent path.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2026
Lindsey Vonn was airlifted off the course after breaking her leg in a violent crash.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for violent
Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026
Decriminalize possession, expunge non-violent records, and allow responsible agricultural and industrial use while requiring permits for commercial sales.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
There’s also a sense that the woman no longer recognizes the 20-year-old woman who went down a violent path.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2026
Lindsey Vonn was airlifted off the course after breaking her leg in a violent crash.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for violent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for violent
Adjective
-
This time, the soloist was the stellar emerging pianist Yunchan Lim, who keeps to himself, either lost in dreamy reverie or, like a jumpy teenager, in ferocious attack mode.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Fullerton's ferocious winds toppled trees onto homes, cars and trucks, jolting neighbors awake early Wednesday morning.—
Michele Gile,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The employee, a mother of two teen girls, warned about the filters and said the pressure on teen girls is intense.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Soon, though, the wall came alive—a colony of rustling and chirping, a frantic rodent argument.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Contact and frantic transitions With so little margin for error, much focus is on the transition sections where athletes switch out their equipment.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The operation also resulted in the killing of two US citizens, the deployment of aggressive tactics by armed, masked DHS agents, and a soaring sense of trepidation permeating Minnesota’s immigrant communities.—
Yahya Salem,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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Torres Hidalgo had been diagnosed with the rare and aggressive form of soft tissue cancer in December 2024.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The faces of those women represented an unbroken chain of those who survived turbulent histories before me.—
Lara N. Dotson-Renta,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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This is something that is common around young stars that have turbulent and violent environments, but is uncommon for stars as old as ASASSN-24fw, estimated to be around 1 billion years old.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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These calculations are computationally intensive and only recently became feasible.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
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Modernizing manufacturing and automating industry will be energy-intensive.—
Stuart Loren,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Right next to that is a showcase for Rubin’s frenetic playing in the form of a furious pattern over slashing guitars.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
13 Feb. 2026
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Two other high-ranking music executives from outside the company, who also spoke to The Times on condition of anonymity to maintain relationships there, said talent and agents at Wasserman Music are furious, and planning exits if Wasserman stays much longer.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Benign conditions like an enlarged prostate, prostatitis (inflammation), recent ejaculation, vigorous exercise or even a long bike ride can temporarily push your PSA up.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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Federal guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week, with some sort of muscle-strengthening exercise on two days.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Violent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/violent. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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