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
Follow more of our reporting on Deadly Dose Crime
One Kansas police force’s approach to fighting fentanyl is driving down violent crime
November 30, 2023 6:10 AM
Government & Politics
Missouri lawmakers push new charges for fentanyl dealers.
—
Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
The prospect of requiring harsher penalties for pot possession than most violent crimes gave some Republicans pause at the wide-ranging hearing, which lasted for more than two hours.
—Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 16 Jan. 2025
Ryan’s violent reaction to this scare sets off a chain of events and unearths secrets from the past.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 16 Jan. 2025
When people receive treatment for their psychosis, their chance of violent behavior decreases.3
Challenges With Treatment
Both psychosis and schizophrenia can be difficult to treat, mainly because people experiencing either one may be resistant to receiving help.
—Brittany Dube, Health, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for violent 
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Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
The prospect of requiring harsher penalties for pot possession than most violent crimes gave some Republicans pause at the wide-ranging hearing, which lasted for more than two hours.
—Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 16 Jan. 2025
Ryan’s violent reaction to this scare sets off a chain of events and unearths secrets from the past.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 16 Jan. 2025
When people receive treatment for their psychosis, their chance of violent behavior decreases.3
Challenges With Treatment
Both psychosis and schizophrenia can be difficult to treat, mainly because people experiencing either one may be resistant to receiving help.
—Brittany Dube, Health, 16 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 21 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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