ENGLISH
REFERENCE

violence

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈvaɪəɫəns// UK //vˈaɪələns// vi·o·lence Dialect General-service

n. actions or words that are intended to hurt people or damage things. It is often used to describe physical fighting or very strong force.

n. the exercise of physical force so as to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy. Often used to describe intense emotional or natural force in a metaphorical sense.


SIMPLE

The movie contains scenes of intense violence.

CONTEXTUAL

The government is working hard to reduce the level of violence in the city's most dangerous neighborhoods.

COMPLEX

Historians often debate whether the inherent violence of the revolution was a necessary catalyst for change or an avoidable tragedy that scarred the nation's psyche.

Synonyms
Origin

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

Usage

Primarily uncountable; however, it can be used with an indefinite article when referring to a specific instance or type of violent act.

Idioms2 entries

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