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
While confronting their violent history, a brutal bar fight and deadly feud reignites between Thomas, Ben, and the notorious Five Points Gang.
—
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2025
That career has been highlighted by some of the most violent fights in MMA history.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Sacramento Superior Court Judge Maryanne Gilliard on Friday sentenced Ronald Leon Walker, 71, for the two violent attacks, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday in a news release.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 4 Mar. 2025
Since the coordinated violent attacks began, gangs have successfully released thousands of inmates from Haiti’s two largest prisons, blocked its major roadways and seaport, and overtaken police substations, killing several officers.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for violent
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Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2025
That career has been highlighted by some of the most violent fights in MMA history.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Sacramento Superior Court Judge Maryanne Gilliard on Friday sentenced Ronald Leon Walker, 71, for the two violent attacks, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday in a news release.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 4 Mar. 2025
Since the coordinated violent attacks began, gangs have successfully released thousands of inmates from Haiti’s two largest prisons, blocked its major roadways and seaport, and overtaken police substations, killing several officers.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for violent
Articles Related to violent
Cite this Entry
“Violent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violent. Accessed 12 Mar. 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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