Definition of VIOLENCE

violence

Plural: violences

Noun

  • Behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill.
  • an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)
    • "he may accomplish by craft in the long run what he cannot do by force and violence in the short one"
  • the property of being wild or turbulent
    • "the storm's violence"
  • a turbulent state resulting in injuries and destruction etc.
  • Extreme force.
  • Physical action which causes destruction, harm, pain, or suffering.
  • Widespread fighting.
  • Injustice, wrong.

Verb

  • To subject to violence.

Examples

  • The translation does violence to the original novel.
  • The violence of the storm, fortunately, was more awesome than destructive.
  • There was no violence on the board, only strategic wordplay.
  • Violence between the government and the rebels continues.
  • We try to avoid violence in resolving conflicts.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English violence, from Old French violence, from Latin violentia, from adjective violentus, see violent. Displaced native Old English stræc.

Antonyms

nonviolence, peace

Scrabble Score: 13

violence: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
violence: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
violence: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 17

violence: valid Words With Friends Word