Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
If someone is ~, or if they do something which is ~, they use physical force or weapons to hurt, injure, or kill other people.
A quarter of current inmates have committed ~ crimes.
...~ anti-government demonstrations...
Sometimes the men get ~.
ADJ
~ly
Some opposition activists have been ~ly attacked.
ADV: ADV with v
2.
A ~ event happens suddenly and with great force.
A ~ explosion seemed to jolt the whole ground.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
~ly
A nearby volcano erupted ~ly, sending out a hail of molten rock and boiling mud.
ADV: ADV with v
3.
If you describe something as ~, you mean that it is said, done, or felt very strongly.
Violent opposition to the plan continues...
He had ~ stomach pains.
...an outburst of ~ emotion.
= intense
ADJ: usu ADJ n
~ly
He was ~ly scolded.
ADV
4.
A ~ death is painful and unexpected, usually because the person who dies has been murdered.
...an innocent man who had met a ~ death.
ADJ
~ly
...a girl who had died ~ly nine years earlier.
ADV: ADV with v
5.
A ~ film or television programme contains a lot of scenes which show violence.
It was the most ~ film that I have ever seen.
ADJ