violently

[vahy-uh-luhnt-lee, vahy-luhnt-]

adverb

1. in a way that involves uncontrolled or destructive force.

   He struck the table violently with his clenched fist and shouted for more.

   Dramatic video shows soldiers violently removing voters from polling stations.

2. in an intense or extreme way.

   He was violently ill after ten minutes, but soon recovered fully.

   We were awoken early in the morning when the house began shaking violently.

Other Word Forms

• overviolently adverb
• quasi-violently adverb
• ultraviolently adverb
• unviolently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of violently¹

violent ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

They breached security barriers and violently assaulted police, forcing members of Congress and their staffers to evacuate the Capitol complex.

From Salon

Irish broadcaster RTÉ has reported it is believed they were all from the same family and were violently attacked.

From BBC

The group violently ejected Abbas's Fatah faction - their political rivals - from Gaza the following year, leaving it in sole power there.

From BBC

The final straw came when a cleaner was filmed restraining the elderly man and violently shaking the bed frame before prodding him with a walking stick.

From BBC

But within hours of applying a new dose he'd bought online, his usually lively tabby was violently ill, vomiting and refusing food or water.

From BBC

Related Words

• fiercely 
• forcefully www.thesaurus.com
• forcibly 
• intensely 
• powerfully www.thesaurus.com
• strongly 
• vigorously