violent

adjective

ˈvī-ə-lənt How to pronounce violent (audio)
Definition of violentnext
1
as in ferocious
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity a violent explosion that left several buildings seriously damaged

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2
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect a violent thunderstorm

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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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of violent The fire spread with violent speed, killing 63 people and injuring a further 193. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026 Colby opened camp on the first string but has been usurped the past week by veteran Rob Jones, whose violent streak showed up well in Tuesday’s action against the Titans. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026 In less than four years, Moore has helped jumpstart Maryland’s economy, driven down violent crime, strengthened public schools and put more money in the pockets of working families. — Derrick Whiting, Baltimore Sun, 13 Aug. 2026 In the weeks leading up to the murder, Cuesta-Rodriguez's behavior was growing increasingly obsessive, controlling, and violent, according to family, prosecutors, and court records. — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for violent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for violent
  1. ferocious
  2. intense
  3. frantic
  4. aggressive
  5. turbulent
  6. intensive
  7. furious
  8. vigorous
Adjective
  • Many EVs can deliver incredible stats—ferocious acceleration is their calling card—but not all deliver a holistic driving experience like the best German sedans of the past 40 or 50 years.
    — Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • To the world, McRae is a strong, fearless entertainer, a triple threat who can pen songs that recall the fizzy pop of the early aughts and bring them to life as a ferocious singer and dancer.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of ferocious
Adjective
  • These could include intense earthquake swarms, rapid ground deformation, changing gas emissions, and unusual heat flow.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Footage aired by local media showed massive flames and fireballs erupting from the tank, with black and orange smoke rising in the sky as firefighters spray what appears to be foam or water in efforts to quench the intense fire.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of intense
Adjective
  • The frantic search for survivors has long since yielded to the grim spectacle of excavators clearing ruins.
    — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • But those final frantic minutes often represent anxiety disguised as productivity.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of frantic
Adjective
  • His preference for a 4-2-3-1 has been evident, however, and the German is looking for Newcastle to be aggressive in the press, intensive and also direct, with a plan to get the ball forward as quickly as possible.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Throughout his scuffles, however, Boone felt Grisham had gotten more aggressive inside the strike zone.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • Armed with an arsenal of tools – from DIY inventions to GPS trackers to drones – Daniel scours the turbulent Vistula River on an all-consuming search, desperate for answers.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
  • But the fund, overwhelmingly comprised of equities, saw a turbulent first six months of the year.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of turbulent
Adjective
  • His preference for a 4-2-3-1 has been evident, however, and the German is looking for Newcastle to be aggressive in the press, intensive and also direct, with a plan to get the ball forward as quickly as possible.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • If the electricity required to operate the system comes from carbon-intensive sources, some of the benefits of capturing atmospheric CO₂ are lost.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of intensive
Adjective
  • Ocasio-Cortez’s choice to share her egg-freezing publicly has kicked off furious debate and confused hand-wringing among conservatives.
    — Anna Russell, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026
  • One man was quick enough to grab his ankle and let out a firm objection, but the foot slipped free from the boot and the houndsman was gone into the tight tunnel full of frantic dogs and furious bear.
    — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of furious
Adjective
  • Beijing would implement more vigorous reform of the country’s household registration system, to allow greater social and economic mobility and establish a stronger social safety net.
    — Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026
  • All your zillennial and millennial friends, now adults with car insurance and vigorous SPF routines, have been watching cozy, faintly dissociative teen dramas in order to forget their troubles.
    — Daisy Jones, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of vigorous

Browse Nearby Words

violence
violent
violently
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Cite this Entry

“Violent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/violent. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of violent for Spanish Speakers

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