Etymology tree Latin violentusbor. Old French violentbor. Middle English violent English violent 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.
1
Involving extreme force or motion.
A violent wind ripped the branch from the tree.
2
Involving physical conflict.
We would rather negotiate, but we will use violent means if necessary.
Looking at hundreds of campaigns over the last century, Chenoweth found that nonviolent campaigns are twice as likely to achieve their goals as violent campaigns.2019 May 13, David Robson, “The '3.5% rule': How a small minority can change the world”, in BBC:
3
Likely to use physical force.
The escaped prisoners are considered extremely violent.
4
Intensely vivid.
The artist expressed his emotional theme through violent colors.
his violent objections to the plan
1 more example
We have already observed, that he was a very good-natured fellow, and he hath himself declared the violent attachment he had to the person and character of Jones […]1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC:
5
Produced or effected by force; not spontaneous; unnatural.
These violent delights have violent ends.c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene vi]:
1684-1690, Thomas Burnet, Sacred Theory of the Earth and no violent state by his own Maxim, can be perpetual,
1 more example
Ease would recant / Vows made in pain, as violent and void.1667, John Milton, “Book IV”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
6
Acute, extreme, sharp.
a violent headache
Palace made it 3-1 on 81 minutes, Nketiah nipping in to finish nicely, then doing a no-celebration pose in front of the away fans. Nketiah grew up a couple of miles from the Den. It felt, at the very least, like a neighbourly overture, and in violent contrast to the opening act at the other end.2025 March 1, Barney Ronay, “Crystal Palace through after Millwall keeper’s red for head-high tackle on Mateta”, in The Guardian:
Etymology tree Latin violentusbor. Old French violentbor. Middle English violent English violent 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.
a great adversary , stepping in , so violented his Majesty to a trial1655, Thomas Fuller, The Church-history of Britain; […], London: […] Iohn Williams […], →OCLC, (please specify |book=I to XI):
violent
noun
Etymology
Etymology tree Latin violentusbor. Old French violentbor. Middle English violent English violent 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.
Did the Covetous extortioner observe that he is involv'd in the same sentence, [and] remember that such Violents shall take not heaven, but hell, by force.1667, Richard Allestree, The Causes of the Decay of Christian Piety: