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domestic violence
noun
: violent or abusive behavior directed by one family or household member against another
He helped start Austin's Children's Advocacy Center, which works with abused kids, and a family-justice division of the D.A.'s office, which prosecutes those accused of domestic violence and helps their families get back to normal.—John Cloud
a domestic violence hotline
In another disturbing trend, women are victims of domestic violence that spills into the workplace.—Sarah Henry
Examples of domestic violence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Majors was sentenced to participate in a domestic violence treatment program in April 2024 following his December 2023 conviction.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025
After losing his older sister, Joanna Lynn Lewis, to domestic violence in 2011, Hunter has been vocal in sharing his testimony against domestic violence and has supported the Sacramento Family Justice Center in the past.
—Emma Hall, Sacramento Bee, 29 Jan. 2025
What kind of funding was stalled: This federal spending is far reaching, from cancer research to housing and food assistance, domestic violence and homeless shelters as well as suicide hotlines, among other programs.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
Some are ‘making people multi-millionaires’ Police ID woman killed in domestic violence incident at CT home; second woman hospitalized
Some CT restaurants struggle, others are booming.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for domestic violence
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Word History
First Known Use
1891, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of domestic violence was
in 1891
Dictionary Entries Near domestic violence
Cite this Entry
“Domestic violence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/domestic%20violence. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
domestic violence
noun
: the inflicting of physical harm by one family or household member on another
Legal Definition
domestic violence
noun
domestic vi·o·lence
: violence committed by one family or household member against another see also restraining order at order
More from Merriam-Webster on domestic violence
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about domestic violence
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