violence

[ vahy-uh-luhns ]

noun

1. swift and intense force:

   the violence of a storm.

   Synonyms: fury, impact, power, might

2. rough or injurious physical force, action, or treatment:

   to die by violence.

3. an unjust or unwarranted exertion of force or power, as against rights or laws:

   to take over a government by violence.

4. a violent act or proceeding.
5. rough or immoderate vehemence, as of feeling or language:

   the violence of his hatred.

6. damage through distortion or unwarranted alteration:

   to do editorial violence to a text.

violence

/ ˈvaɪələns /

noun

1. the exercise or an instance of physical force, usually effecting or intended to effect injuries, destruction, etc
2. powerful, untamed, or devastating force

   the violence of the sea

3. great strength of feeling, as in language, etc; fervour
4. an unjust, unwarranted, or unlawful display of force, esp such as tends to overawe or intimidate
5. do violence to
   1. to inflict harm upon; damage or violate

      they did violence to the prisoners

   2. to distort or twist the sense or intention of

      the reporters did violence to my speech

Other Words From

• anti·vio·lence adjective
• counter·vio·lence noun
• self-vio·lence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of violence¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin violentia; violent, -ence

Word History and Origins

Origin of violence¹

C13: via Old French from Latin violentia impetuosity, from violentus violent

Example Sentences

There is no such thing as speech so hateful or offensive it somehow “justifies” or “legitimizes” the use of violence.

From The Daily Beast

The fear of violence should not determine what one does or does not say.

From The Daily Beast

When twelve people are killed by violence, whoever they are, for whatever reason, that is a tragedy and a waste.

From The Daily Beast

What they say is, ‘We don’t approve of violence, but you know what?

From The Daily Beast

Gunshots rang out in Paris this morning on a second day of deadly violence that has stunned the French capital.

From The Daily Beast

After we had passed over this desert, we found several garisons to defend the caravans from the violence of the Tartars.

From Project Gutenberg

The faint candle-light glimmered on a ponderous gilded cornice, which had also sustained violence.

From Project Gutenberg

Victor was the younger son and brother—a tete montee, with a temper which invited violence and a will which no ax could break.

From Project Gutenberg

True, in such a case as this, "economic strength" would probably be broken down by the intrusion of physical violence.

From Project Gutenberg

For his mind flung itself with violence upon two sentences: he was 'beautiful and precious'; she longed for him to 'comfort' her.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• assault
• attack
• bloodshed
• brutality
• clash
• confusion
• cruelty
• disorder
• disturbance
• fighting
• rampage
• struggle
• terrorism