violent

[vahy-uh-luhnt, vahy-luhnt]

adjective

1. acting with or characterized by uncontrolled, strong, rough force.

   a violent earthquake.

2. caused by injurious or destructive force.

   a violent death.

3. intense in force, effect, etc.; severe; extreme.

   violent pain;

   violent cold.

4. roughly or immoderately vehement or ardent.

   violent passions.

5. furious in impetuosity, energy, etc..

   violent haste.

6. of, relating to, or constituting a distortion of meaning or fact.

violent

/ ˈvaɪələnt /

adjective

1. marked or caused by great physical force or violence

   a violent stab

2. (of a person) tending to the use of violence, esp in order to injure or intimidate others

3. marked by intensity of any kind

   a violent clash of colours

4. characterized by an undue use of force; severe; harsh

5. caused by or displaying strong or undue mental or emotional force

   a violent tongue

6. tending to distort the meaning or intent

   a violent interpretation of the text

Other Word Forms

• violently adverb
• overviolent adjective
• overviolentness noun
• quasi-violent adjective
• self-violent adjective
• ultraviolent adjective
• unviolent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of violent¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of violent¹

C14: from Latin violentus, probably from vīs strength

Example Sentences

The Parole Board heard Dunlop had committed other violent offences and he admitted to the panel he could have gone on to kill other people had he not been incarcerated.

From BBC

She attacked Newsom, saying he should "stand on the side of law-abiding citizens instead of violent criminals destroying Portland and cities across the country."

From BBC

Perhaps Safdie isn’t trying to do anything more than introduce a new generation to Kerr, and throw out some feeble, last-minute ideas about the ephemerality of violent sports glory, as the film’s ending would suggest.

From Salon

The police have responded with seemingly arbitrary mass arrests and in certain places things have turned violent, leading to the death of three protesters.

From BBC

Police said earlier this week that Gibson failed to turn himself into law enforcement after an arrest warrant was issued stemming from a violent incident involving the actor’s Cane Corso dogs.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• brutal 
• crazy 
• cruel 
• fierce 
• homicidal 
• hysterical 
• murderous 
• passionate 
• potent 
• powerful 
• savage 
• uncontrollable 
• vicious