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)
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
More than 1,700 people have been killed this year— 1,086 in February and March, according to the U.N. — in violence fueled by criminal groups trying to expand their territorial control and overthrow the government.
—
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
Abby’s friends are nervous, even disgusted at this point, horrified at her capacity for violence.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Part of Abrego Garcia’s 2019 agreement was to shield him from violence in El Salvador.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 20 Apr. 2025
Many of those later pardoned by the Republican president assaulted police officers and otherwise used violence to stop the peaceful transfer of power, and juries determined their actions to be criminal — felonies, in many cases.
—Ali Swenson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for violence
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Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
Abby’s friends are nervous, even disgusted at this point, horrified at her capacity for violence.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Part of Abrego Garcia’s 2019 agreement was to shield him from violence in El Salvador.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 20 Apr. 2025
Many of those later pardoned by the Republican president assaulted police officers and otherwise used violence to stop the peaceful transfer of power, and juries determined their actions to be criminal — felonies, in many cases.
—Ali Swenson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for violence
Cite this Entry
“Violence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violence. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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