violent

UK: /ˈvaɪələnt/ US: /ˈvaɪələnt/ ,(vī′ə lənt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

vi•o•lent /ˈvaɪələnt/   adj. 

1. acting with or characterized by uncontrolled, strong, rough force:
   a violent attack with a kitchen knife.
2. characterized or caused by destructive force designed to injure or kill:
   a violent death.
3. intense in force, effect, etc.;
   severe;
   extreme:
   violent pain; a violent tornado.
4. being rough or overly forceful, as from anger or fury;
   furious:
   violent passions.

vi•o•lent•ly, adv. 
Related Words

violent is an adjective, violence is a noun:
It was a violent windstorm. Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

vi•o•lent  (vī′ə lənt), adj. 

1. acting with or characterized by uncontrolled, strong, rough force:
   a violent earthquake.
2. caused by injurious or destructive force:
   a violent death.
3. intense in force, effect, etc.;
   severe;
   extreme:
   violent pain; violent cold.
4. roughly or immoderately vehement or ardent:
   violent passions.
5. furious in impetuosity, energy, etc.:
   violent haste.
6. of, pertaining to, or constituting a distortion of meaning or fact.

• Latin violentus, equivalent. to vi-, shortening (before a vowel) of base of vīs force, violence + -olentus, variant (after a vowel) of -ulentus -ulent
• Middle English 1300–50

vi′o•lent•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

violent / ˈvaɪələnt/ adjective

1. marked or caused by great physical force or violence: a violent stab
2. (of a person) tending to the use of violence, esp in order to injure or intimidate others
3. marked by intensity of any kind: a violent clash of colours
4. characterized by an undue use of force; severe; harsh
5. caused by or displaying strong or undue mental or emotional force

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin violentus, probably from vīs strength

ˈviolently adverb