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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of violent
Some of them consider the non-violent style the only way.
—
Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025
Conformism is the social, not explicitly violent, force that pushes people to believe that the status quo is necessary and immutable, or at least the best available option.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 Sep. 2025
The polar figures of 16th-century Italian choral music, Palestrina, the Apollonian master of elegant counterpoint, and Gesualdo, the violent renegade of plangent harmonies, meet on the same program presented by Miller Theater.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Notably, violent crime is down 39% and carjackings by 74% — there have been just 12 since the federal takeover, compared with 47 during the same window in 2024.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for violent
Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025
Conformism is the social, not explicitly violent, force that pushes people to believe that the status quo is necessary and immutable, or at least the best available option.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 Sep. 2025
The polar figures of 16th-century Italian choral music, Palestrina, the Apollonian master of elegant counterpoint, and Gesualdo, the violent renegade of plangent harmonies, meet on the same program presented by Miller Theater.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Notably, violent crime is down 39% and carjackings by 74% — there have been just 12 since the federal takeover, compared with 47 during the same window in 2024.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for violent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for violent
Adjective
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Just like that, Denver’s ferocious defensive front had turned a go-ahead scoring opportunity for the Titans into a punt.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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The conflict in Europe was mirrored by a ferocious debate between scientists and Spiritualists, each side fueled by the pain of their own private losses.—
Alice Vernon
September 8,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Pyongyang has continued to exercise significant control over the population and severely restrict the rights and freedoms of its population, and that has only gotten more intense over the last decade.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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This question — which strikes at the heart of a perennial issue in American politics, frequently reignited by recurring mass shootings — sparked an intense partisan divide.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Tasha Williams, mom to a freshman student, said her daughter called about the shooter, frantic and searching for her friend.—
Katie Langford,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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Laura is frantic about saving Daniel after learning Cherry pushed her father from a construction site, fracturing his spine in two places.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Now and in the future In the early days of the Bowman era, the Oilers appear to be more aggressive in looking for talent.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
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First, assume that classification will be litigated if the arrangement is aggressive or if the borrower is thinly capitalized.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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That's up 16% from 512,000 savers who broke into seven digits on their 401(k) statements in the first quarter's turbulent market.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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The verdict was the final of three judgements against the powerful Shinawatra family, which has dominated Thailand’s turbulent and often violent political scene for more than 20 years.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Advertisement The flurry of updates came three days after Robinson was arrested following an intensive hunt for Kirk's killer.—
Richard Hall,
Time,
14 Sep. 2025
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Doing this requires massive system level integration and is resource intensive.—
Thomas Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Allen leads Bills’ furious comeback After a fast start, the Bills’ offense had extreme difficulty getting things going downfield.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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One of the worst losses from any team this season sparked reactions from furious Dodgers fans on social media.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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However, this doesn’t mean that someone with strong justice cannot be angry or vigorous about addressing injustices.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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And some blue states have been more vigorous about gerrymandering.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Violent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/violent. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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