violent

[vahy-uh-luhnt, vahy-luhnt]

adjective

1. acting with or characterized by uncontrolled, strong, rough force.

   a violent earthquake.

2. caused by injurious or destructive force.

   a violent death.

3. intense in force, effect, etc.; severe; extreme.

   violent pain;

   violent cold.

4. roughly or immoderately vehement or ardent.

   violent passions.

5. furious in impetuosity, energy, etc..

   violent haste.

6. of, relating to, or constituting a distortion of meaning or fact.

violent

/ ˈvaɪələnt /

adjective

1. marked or caused by great physical force or violence

   a violent stab

2. (of a person) tending to the use of violence, esp in order to injure or intimidate others

3. marked by intensity of any kind

   a violent clash of colours

4. characterized by an undue use of force; severe; harsh

5. caused by or displaying strong or undue mental or emotional force

   a violent tongue

6. tending to distort the meaning or intent

   a violent interpretation of the text

Other Word Forms

• violently adverb
• overviolent adjective
• overviolentness noun
• quasi-violent adjective
• self-violent adjective
• ultraviolent adjective
• unviolent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of violent¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin violentus, equivalent to vi-, shortening (before a vowel) of base of vīs “force, violence” + -olentus, variant (after a vowel) of -ulentus -ulent

Word History and Origins

Origin of violent¹

C14: from Latin violentus, probably from vīs strength

Example Sentences

He was about to return to Australia to rebuild his savings when he was cast in the dramatic series Euphoria, where he played the violent jock and class king Nate Jacobs.

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Jacob cockily admits that he expects—wants—the night to end in some kind of violent confrontation, it hardly matters with whom.

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About 30 hours later, near Michigan’s Whitefish Point and during a violent storm on Nov. 10, 1975, the big ship broke apart and sank with its 29 men.

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A White House spokeswoman said earlier Sunday that the president “exercised his lawful authority to protect federal assets and personnel in Portland following violent riots and attacks on law enforcement.”

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“Chicago will be saved, and this FBI will continue to crush violent crime there, and all around the country,” Patel said in a social-media post.

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Related Words

• brutal 
• crazy 
• cruel 
• fierce 
• homicidal 
• hysterical 
• murderous 
• passionate 
• potent 
• powerful 
• savage 
• uncontrollable 
• vicious