violence
Americannoun
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swift and intense force.
the violence of a storm.
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rough or injurious physical force, action, or treatment.
to die by violence.
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an unjust or unwarranted exertion of force or power, as against rights or laws.
to take over a government by violence.
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a violent act or proceeding.
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rough or immoderate vehemence, as of feeling or language.
the violence of his hatred.
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damage through distortion or unwarranted alteration.
to do editorial violence to a text.
noun
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the exercise or an instance of physical force, usually effecting or intended to effect injuries, destruction, etc
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powerful, untamed, or devastating force
the violence of the sea
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great strength of feeling, as in language, etc; fervour
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an unjust, unwarranted, or unlawful display of force, esp such as tends to overawe or intimidate
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to inflict harm upon; damage or violate
they did violence to the prisoners
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to distort or twist the sense or intention of
the reporters did violence to my speech
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Other Word Forms
- antiviolence adjective
- counterviolence noun
- self-violence noun
Etymology
Origin of violence
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin violentia; violent, -ence
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Kansas-born DiDonato said she is "horrified" by shootings but sees "Innocence" as also addressing a normalization of violence that extends into other areas such as deportations and war.
From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026
The series spans several decades, drawing inspiration from racial violence during the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, his personal relationship to Africa, people in his own community and across the African diaspora.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
Americans face a crisis of violence, yes, but the crisis of compassion is just as pressing.
From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026
"Nobody wants to see violence in this area. I hope everyone in the shops and everyone passing by is okay."
From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026
Ares, really a bully at heart and unable to bear what he brought upon unnumbered multitudes of men, fled up to Zeus in Olympus and complained bitterly of Athena’s violence.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
