violent

Violent is an adjective used to describe actions, events, or forces that involve strong physical force intended to injure, or that cause substantial damage. It can describe human aggression, natural phenomena such as a violent storm, or intense emotional states. In everyday usage, violent is often contrasted with nonviolent, and appears in compound terms such as violent crime, violent protest, and violent weather.

Originating from Latin violentus, via Old French, the word has long carried implications of power, force, and coercion.

In law and criminology, 'violent' typically applies to offenses involving physical force or the threat of force—such as homicide, assault, kidnapping, or sexual violence. Jurisdictions define which offenses are classified as violent, affecting penalties, reporting, and public statistics. Some contexts also distinguish violent crime from property crime or non-violent offenses.

Social scientists study violence as a complex phenomenon shaped by individual, social, and environmental factors. Risk factors may include exposure to violence, economic stress, substance use, or mental health issues, but most people do not engage in violence. Causation is multifactorial, and prevention often focuses on early intervention, education, and social support.

Discussions of violence in media and culture examine how portrayals influence attitudes and behavior. Empirical evidence on the relationship between media violence and real-world aggression is mixed, with context, individual differences, and measurement methods influencing outcomes. Policy debates consider deterrence, treatment, and nonviolent strategies for conflict resolution and protest.

See also violence, aggression, nonviolence.