Meaning of violent in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Classifying Adjective
    1. Definitions
  3. Qualitative Adjective
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈvaɪ(ə)lənt/

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  1. Classifying Adjective

    violent

    Definitions

    1. effected by force or injury rather than natural causes

    Examples

    • « a violent death »

    Synonyms

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

    Examples

    • « a violent clash of colors »
    • « her dress was a violent red »
    • « a violent noise »
    • « wild colors »
    • « wild shouts »

    Synonyms

  3. 3. marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions

    Examples

    • « inclined to react violently »
    • « fervid »
    • « fierce loyalty »
    • « in a tearing rage »
    • « vehement dislike »
    • « violent passions »

    Synonyms

  4. 4. characterized by violence or bloodshed

    Examples

    • « writes of crimson deeds and barbaric days- Andrea Parke »
    • « fann'd by Conquest's crimson wing- Thomas Gray »
    • « convulsed with red rage- Hudson Strode »

    Synonyms

  5. Qualitative Adjective

    violent

    Etymology

    Middle English (in the sense ‘having a marked or powerful effect’): via Old French from Latin violent-‘vehement, violent’

    Definitions

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

    Examples

    • « a violent attack »
    • « a violent person »
    • « violent feelings »
    • « a violent rage »
    • « felt a violent dislike »

    Synonyms

    Antonyms

Famous quotes

  • « I don't like poetry that just slaps violent words on a canvas, as it were. »
    Anne Stevenson
  • « I've been involved with violent movies, and then I've also said at a certain point, 'I can't take it anymore. Please cut it.' You know, you've got to respect the filmmaker, and it's a really tough issue. »
    Harvey Weinstein
  • « On some campuses, change is effected through nonviolent or even violent means. »
    Hillary Clinton
  • « If left unchecked, global change will create violent conflict, torrential storms, shrinking coastlines, and irreversible catastrophe. »
    Valerie Jarrett
  • « Violence does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls into the pit which he digs for another. »
    Arthur Conan Doyle

See also

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