Word
violent
Phoneticsvi·o·lent, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈvaɪəɫənt/
UK/vˈaɪələnt/
Definitions
01physical aggression
B1 · Intermediate
adj. using physical force to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something.
adj. characterised by the use of physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill.
“The police were called because the protest had become violent.”
“The documentary examines the root causes of violent crime in urban centres, focusing on the intersection of poverty and systemic neglect.”
Synonyms
02powerful force or motion
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. happening with a lot of sudden, strong force.
adj. involving or caused by extreme physical force or sudden, intense motion.
“The ship struggled to stay upright during the violent storm.”
“The earthquake caused a violent shaking of the ground that lasted for nearly two minutes, toppling several older structures in the district.”
03extreme or intense
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. very strong or severe, like a bad pain or a bright colour.
adj. characterised by an extreme degree of intensity, severity, or vividness.
“She woke up with a violent headache that made it hard to see.”
“The artist used violent contrasts of orange and purple to convey the emotional turmoil of the scene.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “violent” in context.
Verb
01. become violent
“The crowd began to become violent after the police arrived.”
verb + adj
02. turn violent
“What started as a peaceful demonstration suddenly turned violent.”
verb + adj
03. violent crime rises
“Statistics show that violent crime has risen in the city center this year.”
adj + noun + verb
Adjective
04. extremely violent
“The movie was criticized for being extremely violent and unsuitable for children.”
adv + adj
05. increasingly violent
“Protests in the capital have become increasingly violent over the last week.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. history of violent
“The suspect had a long history of violent behavior.”
noun + prep + adj
07. victim of violent
“The charity provides support for any victim of violent crime.”
noun + prep + adj
08. violent crime
09. a sudden violent outburst
“He was prone to a sudden violent outburst when he felt frustrated.”
10. prone to violent mood
“The medication can make some patients prone to violent mood swings.”
11. resort to violent means
“The group claimed they would never resort to violent means to achieve their goals.”
12. violent threats
Etymology
From Middle English violent, from Old French violent, from Latin violentus, from vīs (“strength”). Displaced native Old English stræc. For the verb, compare French violenter.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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