# violence

/ˈvaɪəɫəns/ (US) · /vˈaɪələns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/violence
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. physical harm

noun · CEFR B2

physical force used to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something.

For teachers: the intentional use of physical force or power against oneself, another person, or a group, resulting in injury or death.

- 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'.

### 2. extreme force

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a very strong or powerful force, often used to describe weather or nature.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. injustice

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Academic

doing something that goes against a rule, a feeling, or the truth.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The movie contains scenes of intense violence.
- The government is working hard to reduce the level of violence in the city's most dangerous neighborhoods.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.