violence

[vahy-uh-luhns]

noun

1. swift and intense force.

   the violence of a storm.

   Synonyms: fury, impact, power, might

2. rough or injurious physical force, action, or treatment.

   to die by violence.

3. an unjust or unwarranted exertion of force or power, as against rights or laws.

   to take over a government by violence.

4. a violent act or proceeding.

5. rough or immoderate vehemence, as of feeling or language.

   the violence of his hatred.

6. damage through distortion or unwarranted alteration.

   to do editorial violence to a text.

violence

/ ˈvaɪələns /

noun

1. the exercise or an instance of physical force, usually effecting or intended to effect injuries, destruction, etc

2. powerful, untamed, or devastating force

   the violence of the sea

3. great strength of feeling, as in language, etc; fervour

4. an unjust, unwarranted, or unlawful display of force, esp such as tends to overawe or intimidate

5. 1. to inflict harm upon; damage or violate

      they did violence to the prisoners

   2. to distort or twist the sense or intention of

      the reporters did violence to my speech

Other Word Forms

• antiviolence adjective
• counterviolence noun
• self-violence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of violence¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin violentia; violent, -ence

Word History and Origins

Origin of violence¹

C13: via Old French from Latin violentia impetuosity, from violentus _violent

Example Sentences

David Hirsh, author of “Contemporary Left Antisemitism,” says that despite the absence of violence against Jews in Britain before last week, the country has always been “a pioneer in ‘anti-Zionist’ antisemitism.”

Read more on Wall Street Journal

“What they’re trying to do with these riots and violence is distract us and keep us from going after those murderers and rapists that are out in the streets,” Noem said.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The LDS Church released a statement condemning the violence and lawless behavior.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

That comes after the White House hosted a roundtable on Wednesday in which far-right influencers sought to link “antifa” to various acts of violence, as well as mainstream liberal organizations.

Read more on Salon

The protest movement has issued Rajoelina with a list of demands that includes a public apology for the violence against them but no longer mentions its previous calls for him to step down.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• assault 
• attack 
• bloodshed 
• brutality 
• clash 
• confusion 
• cruelty 
• disorder 
• disturbance 
• fighting 
• rampage 
• struggle 
• terrorism