violence
[vahy-uh-luhns]
- swift and intense force: the violence of a storm.
- rough or injurious physical force, action, or treatment: to die by violence.
- an unjust or unwarranted exertion of force or power, as against rights or laws: to take over a government by violence.
- a violent act or proceeding.
- rough or immoderate vehemence, as of feeling or language: the violence of his hatred.
- damage through distortion or unwarranted alteration: to do editorial violence to a text.
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Origin of violence
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
rampagedisturbancebrutalityclashconfusionassaultfightingcrueltyattackstruggledisorderbloodshedterrorismfuryonslaughtruckussharpnessbestialitycoercionfussExamples from the Web for violence
Contemporary Examples
There is no such thing as speech so hateful or offensive it somehow “justifies” or “legitimizes” the use of violence.
The fear of violence should not determine what one does or does not say.
When twelve people are killed by violence, whoever they are, for whatever reason, that is a tragedy and a waste.
What they say is, ‘We don’t approve of violence, but you know what?
Bill Maher: Hundreds of Millions of Muslims Support Attack on ‘Charlie Hebdo’Lloyd Grove
January 8, 2015
The people who are involved in the violence, they figure out ways to remain here at all costs and continue causing trouble.
Historical Examples
In view of the violence you made use of, I consider that you owe my son an apology.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
And to the violence which prevailed was added the most unblushing bribery.
The Grand Old ManRichard B. Cook
I don't know what to write, about your answering that man of violence.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
Communism maintains that social wrongs can be corrected only by violence.
Dick suddenly aroused, and spoke with the violence of one sure.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
violence
- the exercise or an instance of physical force, usually effecting or intended to effect injuries, destruction, etc
- powerful, untamed, or devastating forcethe violence of the sea
- great strength of feeling, as in language, etc; fervour
- an unjust, unwarranted, or unlawful display of force, esp such as tends to overawe or intimidate
- do violence to
- to inflict harm upon; damage or violatethey did violence to the prisoners
- to distort or twist the sense or intention ofthe reporters did violence to my speech
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Word Origin
C13: via Old French from Latin violentia impetuosity, from violentus violent
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for violence
n.
late 13c., "physical force used to inflict injury or damage," from Anglo-French and Old French violence, from Latin violentia "vehemence, impetuosity," from violentus "vehement, forcible," probably related to violare (see violation). Weakened sense of "improper treatment" is attested from 1590s.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper