1
as in ferocious
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
a violent explosion that left several buildings seriously damaged
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
a violent thunderstorm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in frantic
marked by great and often stressful excitement or activity
our guest's imminent arrival provoked a violent effort to get the place cleaned up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in aggressive
marked by or uttered with forcefulness
prone to violent denunciation of anyone who disagrees with her violent brushstrokes that were a trademark of the abstract artist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of violent
Tanzi's father became more violent toward his son as he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
—
Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
But at the time, a violent children's show about crime-fighting superheroes was far from a safe bet in the American media landscape.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025
In contrast, 2024 marked one of the sharpest declines in violent and nonviolent crime in recent history.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Datta writes that Indians had faced violent treatment at the hands of Japanese forces, even if the Chinese community bore the brunt of the Japanese hostility.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for violent
Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
But at the time, a violent children's show about crime-fighting superheroes was far from a safe bet in the American media landscape.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025
In contrast, 2024 marked one of the sharpest declines in violent and nonviolent crime in recent history.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Datta writes that Indians had faced violent treatment at the hands of Japanese forces, even if the Chinese community bore the brunt of the Japanese hostility.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for violent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for violent
Adjective
-
Severe thunderstorms will roar to life by the late afternoon in the Mississippi Valley, become more ferocious and pound potentially more than 900 miles of the region – from Louisiana to Minnesota – through the overnight hours.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN,
13 Mar. 2025
-
The thunderstorms will become more ferocious and expand by the late evening to pound potentially more than 900 miles of the Mississippi Valley – from Louisiana to Minnesota – into the overnight hours.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The missions became more intense as Japan's outlook grew more dire and the military showcased the sacrifice of the pilots to drum up patriotism and support for the war.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Next, the authors report that repressive techniques are often effective in suppressing protest in the short run but tend to make resistance more intense in the long term.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
When intentionally chosen, the right scent can even shift your mood—lifting you out of a listless haze or helping ease a frantic pace.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Meanwhile, the phone calls for additional funding became more frantic from producers.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The prison has become a symbol of Bukele's aggressive policies that have targeted gang violence.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Young has struggled against the Heat’s aggressive defense in recent years.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Overanalyzing every win and loss will make your journey feel more turbulent than necessary.—
Nelson Chu,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Interesting, turbulent life (including 22 years in prison).—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
That could include chemical-intensive lab work like testing sea lions, killer whales and walruses from Alaska for environmental contaminants, Tolimieri said.—
Lisa Song,
ProPublica,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Class-size mandates effectively compete with other investments, like hiring more mental health professionals or investing in intensive teacher training for the existing workforce.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The ex-girlfriend was hurt, and my roommate who is having the affair is furious with me.—
Philip Galanes,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Not content, Gibbs-White storms towards the penalty area for the return pass, but ends up furious with his team-mate, whose shot is blocked.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
These look sporty and have high side bolsters, which keep you firmly in place during vigorous driving.—
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Seedlings seem susceptible to diseases and not vigorous enough to form the new turf.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Violent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/violent. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share