1
as in brutality
the use of brute strength to cause harm to a person or property an act of violence caused the window to be shattered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intensity
the quality or state of being forceful (as in expression) taken aback by the violence of her denial of any wrongdoing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in emotion
depth of feeling some people were taken aback by the violence with which the magazine's art critic attacked the exhibition
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of violence Quentin Tarantino’s outrageous revisionist Western is wildly over-the-top, combining the director’s penchant for gratuitous violence and sparkling dialogue with a story that’s pleasingly labyrinthine but nothing if not schlocky. —
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026 Most people in these forums will not go on to violence, but Seitz says the group is full of pressure — to kill others or yourself. —Meena Duerson, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026 The two had only been living in their south Fort Worth home for three months, which is why Washington believes the burst of violence was directed at the previous tenants. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026 Federal prosecutors countered in February, calling him a repeat offender who used threats and violence, according to court documents previously obtained by PEOPLE. —Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for violence
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026 Most people in these forums will not go on to violence, but Seitz says the group is full of pressure — to kill others or yourself. —Meena Duerson, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026 The two had only been living in their south Fort Worth home for three months, which is why Washington believes the burst of violence was directed at the previous tenants. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026 Federal prosecutors countered in February, calling him a repeat offender who used threats and violence, according to court documents previously obtained by PEOPLE. —Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for violence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for violence
Noun
-
Yet, while Munro’s denial was a horrible violence, Fremlin’s deplorable acts were the original brutality.— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
-
Nominations in the news, public service and radio/podcast categories span networks, from PBS to ABC and NBC News, with topics ranging from the Los Angeles wildfires to the war in Gaza, immigration and police brutality.— Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Once again, the Nuggets failed to match the Timberwolves’ intensity.— Troy Renck, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
-
What’s flipped from the first six quarters of the series to the last six is McDaniels’ defensive intensity.— Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Although the crew is still experiencing a whirlwind of emotions, Koch said one silver lining is their ability to sleep in any time zone that offers some shut-eye.— Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
-
And this complex web of emotions is what Claire and Jamie are grappling with when Bree, Roger, Marsali, and her children arrive at Fraser’s Ridge to inform them that their son is dead.— Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Peavey previously pleaded guilty to one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon and the special allegation of personal infliction of great bodily injury.— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2026
-
Manson later left the game with an upper-body injury and the former Ducks defenseman did not return.— Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At the same time, enthusiasm around artificial intelligence continues to provide a powerful tailwind for equities, particularly in technology-heavy markets.— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
-
Everyone has different levels of enthusiasm and different conversational needs.— Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
He was taken into custody and transported to Norwalk police headquarters, where he was charged with two counts of criminal attempt at assault on a police officer, two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment and first-degree threatening.— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
-
They were originally used mostly to evacuate casualties and resupply troops, but increasingly also to conduct combat assault missions.— Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But coach Bill Self and his assistants wanted more aggressiveness and physicality from the freshman — and said so at multiple points during the season.— Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
-
Colorado’s aggressiveness with trading away draft picks and prospects to help the NHL club’s pursuit of a Stanley Cup has often left the organization’s pipeline thin, but also provides opportunities for undrafted players like Logan O’Connor and Sam Malinski to earn chances and thrive.— Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But in 2022, the Guidestones became a flashpoint that resulted in a real-world act of domestic terror – a mystery that to this day, has never been solved.— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
-
On Sunday morning, the usual crowds filled the streets as bars and nightclubs were closing in Sacramento when the sound of rapid-fire gunshots sent people running in terror.— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Violence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/violence. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
