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violent

[ vahy-uh-luhnt, vahy-luhnt ]
/ ˈvaɪ ə lənt, ˈvaɪ lənt /
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See synonyms for: violent / violently on Thesaurus.com

adjective
acting with or characterized by uncontrolled, strong, rough force: a violent earthquake.
caused by injurious or destructive force: a violent death.
intense in force, effect, etc.; severe; extreme: violent pain;violent cold.
roughly or immoderately vehement or ardent: violent passions.
furious in impetuosity, energy, etc.: violent haste.
of, relating to, or constituting a distortion of meaning or fact.
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Origin of violent

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

OTHER WORDS FROM violent

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH violent

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

How to use violent in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for violent

violent
/ (ˈvaɪələnt) /

adjective
marked or caused by great physical force or violencea violent stab
(of a person) tending to the use of violence, esp in order to injure or intimidate others
marked by intensity of any kinda violent clash of colours
characterized by an undue use of force; severe; harsh
caused by or displaying strong or undue mental or emotional forcea violent tongue
tending to distort the meaning or intenta violent interpretation of the text

Derived forms of violent

violently, adverb

Word Origin for violent

C14: from Latin violentus, probably from vīs strength
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
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