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
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
Moderate Auto Industry Recovery The Miller family’s fortune is founded upon the car dealership industry, and that particular sector experienced particularly violent setbacks in the immediate onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, around the time RSL was previously for sale.
—
Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Fast-talking criminals, boxing matches, violent action sequences, car charases, and notable stars (Tom Hardy, Helen Mirren, and Pierce Brosnan) are all present and accounted for.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 29 Mar. 2025
Two weeks ago, a protest by retirees, joined by soccer fans and members of social and political organizations, ended in a violent clash between police and protesters.
—Manuela Castro, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
His skating is visceral, a captivating balance of suave and violent athleticism, of contagious fun and technical brilliance.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for violent
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Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Fast-talking criminals, boxing matches, violent action sequences, car charases, and notable stars (Tom Hardy, Helen Mirren, and Pierce Brosnan) are all present and accounted for.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 29 Mar. 2025
Two weeks ago, a protest by retirees, joined by soccer fans and members of social and political organizations, ended in a violent clash between police and protesters.
—Manuela Castro, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
His skating is visceral, a captivating balance of suave and violent athleticism, of contagious fun and technical brilliance.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for violent
Cite this Entry
“Violent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violent. Accessed 3 Apr. 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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