Violent Meaning
/ˈvaɪ.ə.lənt/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjInvolving extreme force or motion.
adjInvolving physical conflict.
Sentence Examples
There was a violent storm at sea.
We are facing a violent crisis.
This month's figures show an increase in violent crime.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The patient became very aggressive and started shouting in a ____ way during the session.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The region was hit by a ____ storm earlier this morning, which caused a lot of damage to several houses today.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *weyh₁-der. Proto-Indo-European *wéyh₁s Proto-Italic *wīs Latin vīs Latin violō Latin -entus Latin violentusbor. Old French violentbor. Middle English violent English violent From Middle English violent, from Old French violent, from Latin violentus, from vīs (“strength”). Displaced native Old English stræc. For the verb, compare French violenter.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Looking at hundreds of campaigns over the last century, Chenoweth found that nonviolent campaigns are twice as likely to achieve their goals as violent campaigns."
— 2019 May 13, David Robson, “The '3.5% rule': How a small minority can change the world”, in BBC:
"We have already observed, that he was a very good-natured fellow, and he hath himself declared the violent attachment he had to the person and character of Jones […]"
— 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC:
"These violent delights have violent ends."
— c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene vi]:
"Ease would recant / Vows made in pain, as violent and void."
— 1667, John Milton, “Book IV”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
"Palace made it 3-1 on 81 minutes, Nketiah nipping in to finish nicely, then doing a no-celebration pose in front of the away fans. Nketiah grew up a couple of miles from the Den. It felt, at the very least, like a neighbourly overture, and in violent contrast to the opening act at the other end."
— 2025 March 1, Barney Ronay, “Crystal Palace through after Millwall keeper’s red for head-high tackle on Mateta”, in The Guardian:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The patient became very aggressive and started shouting in a ____ way during the session.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The region was hit by a ____ storm earlier this morning, which caused a lot of damage to several houses today.