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

When he finally finds her, a violent confrontation sets off a chain of events that exposes deep family secrets.

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Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze pledged "every person involved in this violent act will be prosecuted" and the interior ministry reported 45 arrests.

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Johnson used the term as evidence that the non-violent nationwide protests had an underlying violent intent.

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The case exposed deep troubles within the US incarceration system, and the extent of law enforcement's violent interactions in the United States.

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A violent power struggle with Fatah left Hamas, which won a 2006 election, in sole control of the Gaza Strip.

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Related Words

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