violence

[ vahy-uh-luhns ]

/ ˈvaɪ ə ləns /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for violence on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR violence

1 might, power, impact, fury.

See synonyms for violence on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of violence

1250–1300; Middle English <Anglo-French, Old French <Latin violentia;see violent, -ence

OTHER WORDS FROM violence

an·ti·vi·o·lence, adjectivecoun·ter·vi·o·lence, nounself-vi·o·lence, noun

Words nearby violence

viola da gamba, viola d'amore, violate, violation, violative, violence, violent, violently, violent storm, violescent, violet

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use violence in a sentence

For instance, Facebook’s policy on groups tied to violence practically contradicts itself.
Facebook tries to clean up Groups with new policies|Sarah Perez|September 17, 2020|TechCrunch
People in that city are still arguing, months later, over whether those people were supporting protesters, supporting police, simply trying to incite violence, or some combination thereof.
How Trump And COVID-19 Have Reshaped The Modern Militia Movement|Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux|September 4, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
This makes me think of these groups that used to work on domestic violence in India.
Eight case studies on regulating biometric technology show us a path forward|Karen Hao|September 4, 2020|MIT Technology Review
This summer’s unrest comes after years of failure by democratic institutions to respond to police violence.
Kenosha’s looting is a symptom of a decrepit democracy|Aaron Ross Coleman|September 4, 2020|Vox

If social-media companies do not act swiftly to stop calls for violence against protesters, the situation can only get worse.
How an overload of riot porn is driving conflict in the streets|Bobbie Johnson|September 3, 2020|MIT Technology Review
There is no such thing as speech so hateful or offensive it somehow “justifies” or “legitimizes” the use of violence.
Trolls and Martyrdom: Je Ne Suis Pas Charlie|Arthur Chu|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The fear of violence should not determine what one does or does not say.
Trolls and Martyrdom: Je Ne Suis Pas Charlie|Arthur Chu|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
When twelve people are killed by violence, whoever they are, for whatever reason, that is a tragedy and a waste.
Trolls and Martyrdom: Je Ne Suis Pas Charlie|Arthur Chu|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
Gunshots rang out in Paris this morning on a second day of deadly violence that has stunned the French capital.
France Mourns—and Hunts|Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
After we had passed over this desert, we found several garisons to defend the caravans from the violence of the Tartars.
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801)|Daniel Defoe
The faint candle-light glimmered on a ponderous gilded cornice, which had also sustained violence.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Victor was the younger son and brother—a tete montee, with a temper which invited violence and a will which no ax could break.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
True, in such a case as this, "economic strength" would probably be broken down by the intrusion of physical violence.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
For his mind flung itself with violence upon two sentences: he was 'beautiful and precious'; she longed for him to 'comfort' her.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood

British Dictionary definitions for violence

violence

/ (ˈvaɪələns) /

noun

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

Word Origin for violence

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

violence

OTHER WORDS FOR violence

Origin of violence

OTHER WORDS FROM violence

Words nearby violence

Words related to violence

How to use violence in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for violence

Word Origin for violence