Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

violent

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of violent

1 marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
  • the volcano's violent eruptions
Synonyms of violent

bang-bang, blood-and-guts, convulsive, cyclonic, explosive, ferocious, fierce, furious, hammer-and-tongs, hot, knock-down, drag-out (or knock-down-and-drag-out), paroxysmal, rabid, rough, stormy, tempestuous, tumultuous, turbulent, volcanic
Words Related to violent

barbarous, brutal, savage, vicious

antagonistic, hostile

aggressive, assertive, bellicose, belligerent, combative, contentious, gladiatorial, pugnacious, quarrelsome, truculent

combustible, volatile

agitated, frantic, frenzied, mad

cataclysmal (or cataclysmic), destructive, ruinous
Near Antonyms of violent

calm, halcyon, pacific, serene, tranquil

nonbelligerent, unaggressive
Antonyms of violent

nonviolent, peaceable, peaceful
2 extreme in degree, power, or effect
  • a violent thunderstorm
Synonyms of violent

acute, almighty, blistering, deep, dreadful, excruciating, explosive, exquisite, fearful, fearsome, ferocious, fierce, frightful, furious, ghastly, hard, heavy, heavy-duty, intense, intensive, keen, profound, terrible, vehement, vicious
Words Related to violent

accentuated, aggravated, concentrated, deepened

emphasized, enhanced, heightened, intensified, magnified

stressed

exhaustive, thorough

harsh, rigorous, severe
Near Antonyms of violent

feeble, weak

shallow, superficial

moderated, qualified

alleviated, eased, lightened, toned (down)

abated, decreased, diminished, lessened, reduced, subdued
Antonyms of violent

light, moderate, soft
3 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 of violent

delirious, ferocious, feverish, fierce, frantic, frenetic, frenzied, furious, mad, rabid, wild
Words Related to violent

concentrated, high-pressured, intense, intensive, vehement

excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, extreme, immoderate, inordinate, lavish, overmuch, overweening, unconscionable, undue

crazed, crazy, demented, deranged, insane, irrational, lunatic, mad, maniacal (also maniac)
Near Antonyms of violent

calm, peaceful, placid, quiet, serene, subdued, tranquil, undisturbed, unperturbed, untroubled

moderate, reasonable, temperate

casual, easygoing, low-pressure

balanced, sane, sound
Antonyms of violent

relaxed
4 marked by or uttered with forcefulness
  • prone to violent denunciation of anyone who disagrees with her
Synonyms of violent

aggressive, assertive, dynamic, emphatic, energetic, forceful, full-blooded, muscular, resounding, strenuous, vehement, vigorous
Words Related to violent

decided, insistent, marked, pointed

absolute, categorical (also categoric), clear, plain, unambiguous, unequivocal

arresting, compelling, conspicuous, impelling, noticeable, striking
Near Antonyms of violent

guarded, mild, uncompelling, weak, wishy-washy

ambiguous, equivocal, halting, hesitant

understated
Antonyms of violent

nonassertive, nonemphatic, unemphatic

Learn More about violent

  1. Dictionary: Definition of violent Spanish Central: Translation of violent Nglish: Translation of violent for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of violent for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up violent? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games