violently

[ vahy-uh-luhnt-lee, vahy-luhnt- ]

adverb

1. in a way that involves uncontrolled or destructive force:

   He struck the table violently with his clenched fist and shouted for more.

   Dramatic video shows soldiers violently removing voters from polling stations.

2. in an intense or extreme way:

   He was violently ill after ten minutes, but soon recovered fully.

   We were awoken early in the morning when the house began shaking violently.

Other Words From

• o·ver·vi·o·lent·ly adverb
• qua·si-vi·o·lent·ly adverb
• ul·tra·vi·o·lent·ly adverb
• un·vi·o·lent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of violently¹

violent ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

MSF said staff were "violently attacked, insulted, tear-gassed, threatened with death" and held hostage for more than four hours before being released.

From BBC

And that is before Zaun radicals violently attack a memorial service honoring the survivors of Jinx’s atrocity.

From Salon

County Superior Court, detailing multiple instances in which she said Jackson struck, grabbed or violently put his hands on her over the course of their two-year relationship.

From Los Angeles Times

It was promptly rejected by Judge Beryl Howell, who is overseeing the trials of several defendants charged with violently trespassing on federal grounds in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election.

From Salon

Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States on Wednesday, fulfilling his promise to shatter America’s political status quo after he refused to accept his loss to President Biden four years ago and inspired a mob of supporters to violently storm the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fiercely
• forcefully
• forcibly
• intensely
• powerfully
• strongly
• vigorously