1
as in ferocious
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
a violent explosion that left several buildings seriously damaged
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
a violent thunderstorm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in frantic
marked by great and often stressful excitement or activity
our guest's imminent arrival provoked a violent effort to get the place cleaned up
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in aggressive
marked by or uttered with forcefulness
prone to violent denunciation of anyone who disagrees with her violent brushstrokes that were a trademark of the abstract artist
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of violent
The White House claims that crime stats are being understated, citing an NBC4 Washington report that a police commander allegedly manipulated data to make violent crime appear to have fallen sharply compared with last year.
—
Juliana Kim, NPR, 19 Aug. 2025
In an April 28 news release, Martin’s office said MPD data showed that violent crime had dropped by 25 percent since the start of 2025.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
Eighteen people pleaded guilty to federal charges last week following a June law enforcement initiative in Fort Worth called Operation Showdown, aimed at reducing violent crime.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Aug. 2025
There ended up being a fire in the shop, and police discovered the victims (again, content warning for a violent crime), naked, tied up, burned, shot in the head with at least one of them having been raped.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for violent
Juliana Kim, NPR, 19 Aug. 2025
In an April 28 news release, Martin’s office said MPD data showed that violent crime had dropped by 25 percent since the start of 2025.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
Eighteen people pleaded guilty to federal charges last week following a June law enforcement initiative in Fort Worth called Operation Showdown, aimed at reducing violent crime.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Aug. 2025
There ended up being a fire in the shop, and police discovered the victims (again, content warning for a violent crime), naked, tied up, burned, shot in the head with at least one of them having been raped.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for violent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for violent
Adjective
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Typical confusion and disruption for a ferocious Vikings unit led by blitz enthusiast and defensive coordinator Brian Flores, but a shock to the Patriots’ offensive system.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
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Aquaman star Jason Momoa learned that lesson the hard way while attempting a miles-long paddle through ferocious Hawaiian waters and nearly not coming back up.—
Ryan Coleman Published,
EW.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The dog days of summer brought intense heat to the Volunteer State, including a nearly month-long streak of 90-degree days in July, the fifth longest in Nashville’s history, said the weather service.—
Diana Leyva,
The Tennessean,
23 Aug. 2025
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Leaders will come under intense scrutiny both personal and professional.—
Chloe Demrovsky,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The frantic husband immediately called 911 so his wife and baby could be transported to a nearby hospital.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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Dallas was on the other end of that story later in the week, making a frantic comeback against Los Angeles at home but falling short as Bueckers’ buzzer-beating 3-pointer rimmed out.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Potential Fed chair David Zervos backs an aggressive rate cut.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
15 Aug. 2025
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Poor oral hygiene allows plaque bacteria to produce acids that contribute to decay, while aggressive brushing can physically wear away the enamel surface.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Sheckler and Kells have used the parallels in their turbulent journeys in the spotlight to lean on one another, making their bond stronger over the years.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
14 Aug. 2025
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By unifying intelligence, manufacturers can run simulations, identify vulnerabilities, and respond proactively—protecting digital and sustainability gains even in turbulent periods.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Residents learn to care for critically ill patients, a process that demands intensive hours, extensive study outside of work to prepare for cases, and the emotional resilience to confront life-and-death situations daily.—
Richard Menger MD MPA,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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Musicians are also drawn here; the historic Sewanee Summer Music Festival, a month-long training intensive, stages concerts each summer, and the University Choir performs every Sunday at All Saints’ Chapel during the academic year.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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During the weekend retreat at Camp David, in 1971, when Nixon’s team arrived at the decision to untether the dollar from gold, Treasury Secretary John Connally dismissed concerns that allies would be furious.—
Wally Adeyemo,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
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During the 2013 trial, prosecutors said Arias was furious after Alexander ended their relationship and began seeing someone new, rejecting her attempts to rekindle their romance.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Not surprisingly, the live take from the Aug. 2 gig features vigorous chorus help from the stadium crowd, a staple of the enthusiastic response from diehards during the band’s first run of UK dates on their Live ’25 tour.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
14 Aug. 2025
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The voters are entitled to a fair election and a vigorous debate on the issues and the ongoing effort by both political parties, now reaching a fever pitch, to make more and more of those elections non-competitive is excluding that debate and detrimental to problem-solving and to our country.—
Kevin Igoe,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Violent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/violent. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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