violent
adjective
vi·o·lent
ˈvī-ə-lənt 
1
a(1)
: marked by the use of usually harmful or destructive physical force
a violent attack
violent crime
The peaceful demonstration turned violent.
(2)
: showing or including violence
violent movies
b
: extremely powerful or forceful and capable of causing damage
violent storms
violent coughing
2
: caused by physical force or violence : not natural
a violent death
3
a
: emotionally agitated to the point of using harmful physical force
became violent after an insult
b
: prone to commit acts of violence
violent prison inmates
violently
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of violent in a Sentence
They witnessed a violent struggle between police and protesters.
The peaceful protest suddenly turned violent.
The city has experienced an increase in violent crime in the past year.
The final scene was extremely violent.
She suffered a violent death in a car accident.
The patient suddenly became violent and had to be restrained.
He's not a particularly violent person.
Recent Examples on the Web
After the end of the apartheid regime, Tutu also served as chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was established to investigate acts of violence committed both by government forces and violent activists.
—
Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is intent on changing the script of American cities plagued by crime by implementing policy changes that have led to violent crime taking a tumble.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 28 Jan. 2025
The show follows the events surrounding the real-life Mountain Meadows Massacre, a violent attack that led to the mass murder of at least 120 members of the Baker-Fancher wagon train.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
Right now, the law fails to prevent repeat violent offenders from cycling in and out of the justice system.
—Byron H Pelton, The Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for violent 
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Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is intent on changing the script of American cities plagued by crime by implementing policy changes that have led to violent crime taking a tumble.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 28 Jan. 2025
The show follows the events surrounding the real-life Mountain Meadows Massacre, a violent attack that led to the mass murder of at least 120 members of the Baker-Fancher wagon train.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
Right now, the law fails to prevent repeat violent offenders from cycling in and out of the justice system.
—Byron H Pelton, The Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for violent
Articles Related to violent
Dictionary Entries Near violent
Cite this Entry
“Violent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violent. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
violent
adjective
vi·o·lent
ˈvī-ə-lənt
1
: marked by great force or sudden activity
a violent attack of coughing
violent storms
2
a
: especially furious or emotional
a violent denial of guilt
b
: intense sense 1
violent pain
3
: caused by force
a violent death
4
a
: acting with or characterized by harmful physical force : exercising or marked by violence
a violent person
violent actions
b
: having a tendency to carry out acts of violence
violent prison inmates
violently
adverb
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