violent

The definition of violent is forceful, dangerous or causing great injury or death.

(adjective)

An example of something violent is a storm that knocks down houses, trees and power lines.

See violent in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

1. acting with or characterized by great physical force, so as to injure, damage, or destroy
2. acting or characterized by force unlawfully or callously used
caused by violence: a violent death
1. showing, or resulting from, strong feeling or emotion; vehement; furious: violent language
2. emotionally disturbed to an uncontrollable degree
extreme; intense; very strong: a violent storm
tending to distort the meaning: to put a violent construction on a text

Origin: ME < MFr < L violentus, violent, akin to violare, to violate

Related Forms:

See violent in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Marked by, acting with, or resulting from great force: a violent attack.
Having or showing great emotional force: violent dislike.
Marked by intensity; extreme: violent pain; a violent squall. See Synonyms at intense.
Caused by unexpected force or injury rather than by natural causes: a violent death.
Tending to distort or injure meaning, phrasing, or intent.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin violentus

Origin: , from vīs, vi-, force; see weiə- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: