violent

What it means

1. Involving extreme force or motion.

   A violent wind ripped the branch from the tree.

   Synonyms: impetuous

2. Involving physical conflict.

   We would rather negotiate, but we will use violent means if necessary.

   1 more example

   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.

In a sentence

A violent wind ripped the branch from the tree.

Where it comes from

1. Latinviolentu
2. Old Frenchviolent
3. Middle Englishviolent
4. Englishviolent

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.