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

“Acts of violence against the brave law enforcement officers who protect us are an attack on civilized society itself,” Atty.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But if violence such as what occurred on Tuesday becomes the norm, then the ceasefire will exist in name only.

Read more on BBC

Several videos have since emerged showing men wearing military fatigues and some with what appear to be RSF patches carrying out extreme acts of violence around el-Fasher.

Read more on BBC

Marshals in executing outstanding warrants and FBI assistance in targeting gangs and gun violence.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Over 1,000 individuals from more than 260 campuses reached out about incidents, including violence, verbal harassment, swastikas painted on students’ dorm-room doors and Jewish students locked out of campus buildings by protesters.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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