VIOLENT

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does violent mean? 

• VIOLENT (adjective)
  The adjective VIOLENT has 5 senses:

1. acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity

2. effected by force or injury rather than natural causes

3. (of colors or sounds) intensely vivid or loud

4. marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions; inclined to react violently; fervid

5. characterized by violence or bloodshed

  Familiarity information: VIOLENT used as an adjective is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• VIOLENT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity

Context example:

felt a violent dislike

Similar:

convulsive (resembling a convulsion in being sudden and violent)

ferocious; fierce; furious; savage (marked by extreme and violent energy)

hot; raging (characterized by violent and forceful activity or movement; very intense)

knock-down-and-drag-out; knockdown-dragout (extremely violent)

lashing (violently urging on by whipping or flogging)

lurid (horrible in fierceness or savagery)

rampageous (displaying raging violence; often destructive)

ruffianly; tough (violent and lawless)

slam-bang (violent and sudden and noisy)

Also:

hostile (characterized by enmity or ill will)

unpeaceful (not peaceful)

Antonym:

nonviolent (abstaining (on principle) from the use of violence)

Derivation:

violence (the property of being wild or turbulent)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Effected by force or injury rather than natural causes

Context example:

a violent death

Similar:

unnatural (not in accordance with or determined by nature; contrary to nature)

Derivation:

violence (an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists))

Sense 3

Meaning:

(of colors or sounds) intensely vivid or loud

Synonyms:

violent; wild

Context example:

wild shouts

Similar:

intense (possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions; inclined to react violently; fervid

Synonyms:

fierce; tearing; trigger-happy; vehement; violent

Context example:

violent passions

Similar:

intense (possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Characterized by violence or bloodshed

Synonyms:

crimson; red; violent

Context example:

convulsed with red rage

Similar:

bloody (having or covered with or accompanied by blood)

Derivation:

violence (a turbulent state resulting in injuries and destruction etc.)

 Context examples 

In the massive Coma cluster this violent gas-loss process occurs in many galaxies.

(Hubble Sees Plunging Galaxy Losing Its Gas, NASA)

He looked very ill; evidently suffering under violent emotions, which he was determined to suppress.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

He or she may withdraw, think of suicide or become violent.

(Child Abuse, NIH)

For where she DOES dislike, I know it is most violent.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Be that as it will, I found myself suddenly awaked with a violent pull upon the ring, which was fastened at the top of my box for the conveniency of carriage.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

The man gave a violent start.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Three nights has the same thing happened—violent all day then quiet from moonrise to sunrise.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Well, sir, there were violent quarrels at first, I assure you, said Mr. Chillip; but she is quite a shadow now.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Whatever shall we do? said Jo, looking ready for any measures, however violent.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Exactly. I don't suppose he can always be so violent as that.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)