violence

Violence is the use of physical force intended to harm.

(noun)

An example of violence is when you punch someone or when you shoot someone.

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See violence in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. physical force used so as to injure, damage, or destroy; extreme roughness of action
  2. intense, often devastatingly or explosively powerful force or energy, as of a hurricane or volcano
    1. unjust or callous use of force or power, as in violating another's rights, sensibilities, etc.
    2. the harm done by this
  3. great force or strength of feeling, conduct, or expression; vehemence; fury
  4. a twisting or wrenching of a sense, phrase, etc., so as to distort the original or true sense or form: to do violence to a text
  5. an instance of violence; violent act or deed

Origin: ME < MFr < L violentia < violentus: see violent

See violence in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. Physical force exerted for the purpose of violating, damaging, or abusing: crimes of violence.
  2. The act or an instance of violent action or behavior.
  3. Intensity or severity, as in natural phenomena; untamed force: the violence of a tornado.
  4. Abusive or unjust exercise of power.
  5. Abuse or injury to meaning, content, or intent: do violence to a text.
  6. Vehemence of feeling or expression; fervor.

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