ultraviolence

noun

ul·​tra·​vi·​o·​lence ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-lən(t)s 

-ˈvī-ə-

: extreme or excessive violence

As is so often the case in films of this kind, the ultraviolence is denounced as obscene and demeaning, but the film makers—and the audiences—clearly enjoy each sick and sickening sensation.

—Arthur Knight

ultraviolent

ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-lənt 

-ˈvī-ə-

adjective

… the ultraviolent Oliver Stone movie "Natural Born Killers," about a young couple who take drugs and kill people for pleasure.

—Mark Miller

Examples of ultraviolence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There would also be inspired rip-offs like 2017’s Atomic Blonde (from uncredited Wick co-director David Leitch) and 2021’s Nobody, in which Bob Odenkirk, of all people, commits many acts of Wick-like ultraviolence. —Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2024

Sisu is beyond cartoonish in terms of its ultraviolence, which becomes more of an end and less of a means before the final villain gets his righteous comeuppance. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 May 2023

So was what often got called ultraviolence. —Wesley Morris, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2020

Both are unfortunately sidelined to prioritize the high jinks and ultraviolence. —Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2022

Characters express concern over his ultraviolence. —Darren Franich, EW.com, 4 Mar. 2022

Security is maintained by guards like Felix (Nico Tortorella) and Huck (Annet Mahendru), very nice people untroubled by a decade of ultraviolence. —Darren Franich, EW.com, 29 Sep. 2020

Mami didn’t care for ultraviolence or on-screen nudity. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2022

In between loads of cartoonish ultraviolence and B-movie horror ephemera came some honestly unutterable lyrics, which Bill fought his faith to perform. —Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 28 June 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above