Word
violence
Phoneticsvi·o·lence, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈvaɪəɫəns/
UK/vˈaɪələns/
Definitions
01physical harm
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. physical force used to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something.
n. the intentional use of physical force or power against oneself, another person, or a group, resulting in injury or death.
日本語:暴力※
Español:violencia
“The government is trying to reduce the level of violence in the city.”
“The documentary explores how systemic poverty can lead to cycles of community violence that are difficult to break without significant social investment.”
Usage
Often used with the verbs 'commit', 'resort to', or 'erupt'.
Antonyms
02extreme force
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Literary
n. a very strong or powerful force, often used to describe weather or nature.
n. the quality of being extremely intense, forceful, or powerful in a way that causes destruction.
“The violence of the storm broke several windows in the old house.”
“The sheer violence of the volcanic eruption surprised geologists, who had expected a much more gradual release of pressure.”
Usage
Commonly used to describe storms, winds, or emotional outbursts.
Teaching tip
In this sense, the word emphasizes the power of the event rather than a human intent to hurt.
Antonyms
03injustice
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Formal · Academic
n. doing something that goes against a rule, a feeling, or the truth.
n. an instance of doing harm to a principle, meaning, or right; often used in the phrase 'do violence to'.
“The new movie version does violence to the original story in the book.”
“Critics argued that the modern translation did violence to the poet's original meter and subtle use of metaphor.”
Usage
Usually appears in the construction 'to do violence to [something]'.
Teaching tip
This is a figurative use. It suggests that a change is so bad it 'hurts' the original idea.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “violence” in context.
Adjective
01. domestic violence
“The government is introducing new laws to provide better support for victims of domestic violence.”
adj + noun
02. violence against women
03. violence terror'
04. violence against polling
05. violence in the occupied
06. violence prevention
Real-World Examples
“The region has seen a wave of violence as jihadists have been fighting government security forces as well as Western and other allied troops.” “It protects them from the violence coming from criminal groups,” he told Al Jazeera.” Etymology
From Middle English violence, from Old French violence, from Latin violentia, from adjective violentus, see violent. Displaced native Old English stræc.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
Idioms
01. choose violence
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/violence
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0