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 Word Forms

• 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

The attorney said Hijaz had no history of violence prior to his death.

From Los Angeles Times

"My last chance to defend myself, to stand up for my rights, my dignity, and to prevent such acts of violence in sports is to seek justice in court."

From BBC

In 2022, El Salvador declared a "state of emergency" to combat gang violence, restricting rights like assembly and privacy.

From BBC

"Tragically, many of our own families have been victims of gun violence in Haiti," he adds.

From BBC

Leavitt also accused the 29-year-old of domestic violence, citing records showing his US citizen wife once filed a protective order against him.

From BBC

Related Words

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