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Added 7 October 2026

violent

/ˈvaɪ.ə.lənt/ adjective

In Latin: violentus Wiktionary

adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about violent at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity.
a violent attack
Effected by force or injury rather than natural causes.
a violent death
(of colors or sounds) intensely vivid or loud.
a violent clash of colors

Origin

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.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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