/ ˈvaɪələnt; NAmE / adjective
1.
involving or caused by physical force that is intended to hurt or kill sb :
violent crime
Students were involved in violent clashes with the police.
He met with a violent death (= he was murdered, killed in a fight, etc.)
Her husband was a violent man.
The crowd suddenly turned violent .
Children should not be allowed to watch violent movies (= that show a lot of violence) .
2.
showing or caused by very strong emotion :
There was a violent reaction from the public.
3.
very strong and sudden
SYN intense , severe :
I took a violent dislike to him.
a violent explosion
a violent change
a violent headache
4.
( of a colour ) extremely bright :
Her dress was a violent pink.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense having a marked or powerful effect ): via Old French from Latin violent- vehement, violent.