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

"We had to accept the peace offer because there was no end in sight to the violence," said Mr Sabiu.

Read more on BBC

“But he needs more time. One cannot resolve in one year the violence that we have seen for so long in Mexico.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Nigerian officials and analysts say that members of all faiths are victims of the violence and kidnappings and that it is not true that Christians are being targeted.

Read more on BBC

Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, has long been a source of U.S.-bound migrants fleeing endemic violence and unemployment.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This Thanksgiving, while we pray for those who’ve been injured or killed in gun violence all across this country, I remain optimistically thankful.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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