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
It's been a violent weekend in Chicago so far this weekend.
—
Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 21 June 2026
Although Chicago Police Department data show a slight increase in shooting incidents compared with the first half of last year, violent crime rates have generally dropped in the city over the last few years, in parallel with national trends.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
Yet such an approach carries the risk of more violent swings in stock and bond prices, analysts say, and ultimately could lead to higher interest rates for consumers and businesses.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 20 June 2026
Friday’s shooting came amid a wave of recent violent incidents as Kansas City plays host to World Cup matches.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for violent
Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 21 June 2026
Although Chicago Police Department data show a slight increase in shooting incidents compared with the first half of last year, violent crime rates have generally dropped in the city over the last few years, in parallel with national trends.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
Yet such an approach carries the risk of more violent swings in stock and bond prices, analysts say, and ultimately could lead to higher interest rates for consumers and businesses.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 20 June 2026
Friday’s shooting came amid a wave of recent violent incidents as Kansas City plays host to World Cup matches.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for violent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for violent
Adjective
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So playing characters who were so ferocious and bold and confident and determined and all that helped me profoundly in my personal life.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
-
Your ferocious work ethic and absolutely unshakable moral fiber.—
Scott Bauer,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Being in the C-suite is a high-pressure job with long hours, board responsibilities, and intense scrutiny.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
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Within the hour, all firefighters were called off the roof and out of the building because of the danger posed by the intense flames and the ammonia leak.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
Adjective
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Here’s a recap of this week’s frantic pace.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
20 June 2026
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McKenna's death gained national attention after her disappearance in the middle of the night set off a frantic search for the teenager.—
Angela George,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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That was a fun one, with both teams staying aggressive throughout the match.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
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That more aggressive posture has been exemplified in Lewis George's smaller jousts with the mayor over housing and public safety policies, too.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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For SpaceX, the road was highly turbulent before the fourth Falcon 1 launch successfully reached orbit.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
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Stocks closed out a turbulent week on a positive note, but a couple of winning names could soon see a decline.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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There’s nothing like an invasive hours-long aesthetic procedure with anesthesia to justify intensive pampering.—
Merle Ginsberg,
HollywoodReporter,
19 June 2026
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Governments and energy-intensive firms will look at electrification with newfound interest.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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Sam Sanders grew up in anger; his father, an alcoholic, would come home from work furious, Matt says, beating Sam with his belt.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
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Seminole commissioners are furious that Lynx wants to hike costs for its mass transit service — even after the county ditched most of its bus routes last January due to a lack of riders.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 June 2026
Adjective
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Pruning can encourage vigorous growth and larger flowers or control the shrub’s shape and size.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2026
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The options reflect a vigorous debate about whether the company can live up to the initial enthusiasm.—
Joanna Ossinger,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Violent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/violent. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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