violence

noun

vi·​o·​lence ˈvī-lən(t)s 

ˈvī-ə-

1

a

: the use of physical force so as to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy

b

: an instance of violent treatment or procedure

2

: injury by or as if by distortion, infringement, or profanation : outrage

3

a

: intense, turbulent, or furious and often destructive action or force

the violence of the storm

b

: vehement feeling or expression : fervor

also : an instance of such action or feeling

c

: a clashing or jarring quality : discordance

4

: undue alteration (as of wording or sense in editing a text)

Synonyms

• force
• foul play

Examples of violence in a Sentence

They need to learn how to settle their arguments without resorting to violence.

movies filled with sex and violence

The violence of the storm caused great fear.

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s the percentage of emergency department doctors and nurses that reported witnessing at least one incidence of violence at work. —Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

If new outbreaks of local or larger regional violence do indeed occur, the likelihood of any side achieving a zero-sum game victory becomes even more remote. —Hannah Rae Armstrong, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2025

Victims of violence The Comperatore Family, the family of the firefighter who was fatally shot by the gunman during the assassination attempt against President Trump in July 2024. —Nik Popli, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025

Committing acts of intentional violence in an international airport is a federal crime, per the U.S. Department of Justice, punishable with a fine of up to $250,000 and 20 years in prison. —Jen Juneau, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing violence

• anti-violence
• counter-violence
• domestic violence
• do violence to

Rhymes for violence

• nonviolence

Kids Definition

violence

noun

vi·​o·​lence ˈvī-ə-lən(t)s 

1

: the use of force in a way that harms a person or property

2

: great force or energy especially of a destructive kind

the violence of the storm caused great fear