violent
gb/vˈaɪələnt/ us/vˈaɪələnt/
B1
English
~ 2900
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
using physical force to harm
Using force to hurt people or damage things.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is violent
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'violent' with 'angry'. Not all angry people are violent—violence involves physical force or damage.
Synonyms
brutal (Emphasizes cruelty and severity in the violence.)
Antonyms
peaceful (Describes the absence of violence or conflict.)
Collocations
violent crime
|violent attack
|violent behavior
|violent protest
|violent confrontation
Themes
crime
|conflict
|safety
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The protest turned violent after nightfall.
- He was arrested for committing a violent assault.
- A violent storm damaged several buildings.
- The movie contains several violent scenes.
- She has a history of violent behavior.
Learner examples
- The man was violent toward the police.
- It was a violent fight.
- A violent storm broke the trees.
- He is not a violent person.
- The game has violent images.
adjective
B2
property
2
extremely strong or intense
Very strong or extreme in force or feeling.
Usage pattern:
a violent [storm/emotion/reaction]
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'violent' only refers to people; it can also describe weather, movements, or feelings when they are very strong.
Synonyms
fierce (Suggests strength and intensity, sometimes without physical harm.)
Antonyms
gentle (Indicates mildness and lack of intensity.)
Collocations
violent storm
|violent explosion
|violent shaking
|violent reaction
Themes
nature
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- A violent storm swept through the region.
- He felt a violent pain in his chest.
- The earthquake caused violent shaking.
- She gave a violent push to open the door.
Learner examples
- A violent wind broke the windows.
- He had a violent headache.
- The car stopped with a violent jerk.
- A violent storm came last night.
adjective
B2
property
3
showing extreme emotion
Showing feelings in a very strong and uncontrolled way.
Usage pattern:
a violent [outburst/argument/reaction]
Synonyms
explosive (Emphasizes sudden and intense emotional expression.)
Antonyms
calm (Shows control over emotions and lack of intensity.)
Collocations
violent outburst
|violent argument
|violent temper
Themes
emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He had a violent outburst during the meeting.
- They had a violent argument about money.
- Her letter was full of violent language.
Learner examples
- He had a violent temper.
- They had a violent fight of words.
- She made a violent cry.
Grammar
Dictionary form
violent
IPA
GB/vˈaɪələnt/
US/vˈaɪələnt/
Syllables & stress
vi - ol - ent (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (vi)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: violent
Word family
Expressions
turn violent
1/tˈɚn vˈaɪələnt/
fixed phrase
become aggressive or harmful
To start using force to hurt people or damage things.
Examples
- The peaceful protest suddenly turned violent.
- The crowd turned violent after the announcement.
violent crime
1/vˈaɪələnt kɹˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
crime causing physical harm
A crime where someone is hurt or threatened with harm.
Examples
- Murder is considered a violent crime.
- The city has seen a rise in violent crime this year.
violent outburst
1/vˈaɪələnt ˈaʊtbˌɚst/
fixed phrase
sudden act of aggression
A sudden act of shouting, hitting, or showing strong feelings in an uncontrolled way.
Examples
- He had a violent outburst during class.
- The man was arrested after a violent outburst on the train.
- Her violent outburst shocked everyone at the meeting.
- His violent outburst damaged several pieces of furniture in the apartment.
- Doctors are concerned about his history of sudden violent outbursts.