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

This is a film of doubles, repeated characters, dual identities and twice the violence in the Colosseum.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite characterizations of premeditated grooming, Britt asserted that she felt safer with him than with any of the many men in her young life at whose hands she had, in Barney’s words, “suffered unspeakable violence.”

From Los Angeles Times

He also used violence to further drug trafficking and money laundering activities, prosecutors charge.

From Los Angeles Times

The department has long faced allegations about secretive deputy groups running amok in certain stations and jails, controlling command staff and promoting a culture of violence.

From Los Angeles Times

Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones KC told the court all three defendants were responsible for the 10-year-old's death, which happened amid a "culture of violence" which was "normalised" in the family household.

From BBC

Related Words

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