violent
adjective
vi·o·lent
ˈvī-ə-lənt 
1
a(1)
: marked by the use of usually harmful or destructive physical force
a violent attack
violent crime
The peaceful demonstration turned violent.
(2)
: showing or including violence
violent movies
b
: extremely powerful or forceful and capable of causing damage
violent storms
violent coughing
2
: caused by physical force or violence : not natural
a violent death
3
a
: emotionally agitated to the point of using harmful physical force
became violent after an insult
b
: prone to commit acts of violence
violent prison inmates
violently
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of violent in a Sentence
They witnessed a violent struggle between police and protesters.
The peaceful protest suddenly turned violent.
The city has experienced an increase in violent crime in the past year.
The final scene was extremely violent.
She suffered a violent death in a car accident.
The patient suddenly became violent and had to be restrained.
He's not a particularly violent person.
Recent Examples on the Web
Among people arrested on federal charges for threatening public officials, those with an ideological bent veered toward right-wing, racially motivated – and often misogynistic or religious – violent extremism.
—
Kenny Jacoby, USA TODAY, 17 July 2024
However, the clearest trend in crime data in recent years nationwide, experts said, is that violent crime is down.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2024
However, fingerprints were discovered at the scene that would eventually match with Jeremy Scott, a man whose violent history includes armed robbery and assault.
—Clarissa Schmidt, Vogue, 17 July 2024
That’s even as overall violent crime in China – already extremely low compared to many other countries – has been declining in recent years, according to state media reports.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for violent 
Kenny Jacoby, USA TODAY, 17 July 2024
However, the clearest trend in crime data in recent years nationwide, experts said, is that violent crime is down.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2024
However, fingerprints were discovered at the scene that would eventually match with Jeremy Scott, a man whose violent history includes armed robbery and assault.
—Clarissa Schmidt, Vogue, 17 July 2024
That’s even as overall violent crime in China – already extremely low compared to many other countries – has been declining in recent years, according to state media reports.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for violent
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'violent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Violent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violent. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
violent
adjective
vi·o·lent
ˈvī-ə-lənt
1
: marked by great force or sudden activity
a violent attack of coughing
violent storms
2
a
: especially furious or emotional
a violent denial of guilt
b
: intense sense 1
violent pain
3
: caused by force
a violent death
4
a
: acting with or characterized by harmful physical force : exercising or marked by violence
a violent person
violent actions
b
: having a tendency to carry out acts of violence
violent prison inmates
violently
adverb
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