1
a: the use of physical force so as to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy
b : an instance of violent treatment or procedure2
: injury by or as if by distortion, infringement, or profanation : outrage3
a : intense, turbulent, or furious and often destructive action or force the violence of the storm b : vehement feeling or expression : fervoralso : an instance of such action or feeling
4
: undue alteration (as of wording or sense in editing a text)
Last Updated: 3 Jan 2023 - Updated example sentencesSubscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!
Merriam-Webster unabridged