Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

break:We didn't know we were breaking the law.

infringe:The jury ruled that he had infringed no rules.

disobey:He urged the soldiers to disobey orders if asked to fire on civilian targets.

breach:The newspaper breached the code of conduct on privacy.

contravene:He said the article did not contravene the industry's code of conduct.

vio|lence ◆◆◇ /va I ələns/

1 N‑UNCOUNT Violence is behaviour which is intended to hurt, injure, or kill people. □  Twenty people were killed in the violence. □  They threaten them with violence.

2 N‑UNCOUNT If you do or say something with violence , you use a lot of force and energy in doing or saying it, often because you are angry. [LITERARY ] □  The violence in her tone gave Alistair a shock. SYNONYMS violence NOUN 1

brutality:Her experience of men was of domination and brutality.

savagery:…the sheer savagery of war.

terrorism:They were accused of terrorism.

brute force:He used brute force to take control.

vio|lent ◆◇◇ /va I ələnt/

1 ADJ If someone is violent , or if they do something which is violent , they use physical force or weapons to hurt, injure, or kill other people. □  A quarter of current inmates have committed violent crimes. □  …violent anti-government demonstrations. □  Sometimes the men get violent. ●  vio|lent|ly ADV [ADV with v] □  Some opposition activists have been violently attacked.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A violent event happens suddenly and with great force. □  A violent explosion seemed to jolt the whole ground. ●  vio|lent|ly ADV [ADV with v] □  A nearby volcano erupted violently, sending out a hail of molten rock and boiling mud.

3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as violent , you mean that it is said, done, or felt very strongly. □  Violent opposition to the plan continues. □  He had violent stomach pains. □  …an outburst of violent emotion. ●  vio|lent|ly ADV □  He was violently scolded.

4 ADJ A violent death is painful and unexpected, usually because the person who dies has been murdered. □  …an innocent man who had met a violent death. ●  vio|lent|ly ADV [ADV with v] □  …a girl who had died violently nine years earlier.

5 ADJ A violent film or television programme contains a lot of scenes which show violence. □  It was the most violent film that I have ever seen. SYNONYMS violent ADJ

1

bloodthirsty:They were savage and bloodthirsty.

brutal:He was the victim of a very brutal murder.

vicious:He suffered a vicious attack by a gang of white youths.

savage:This was a savage attack on a defenceless young girl.

aggressive:Some children are much more aggressive than others.

2

devastating:The city of Ormac took the full force of the winds and devastating floods.

raging:The field trip involved crossing a raging torrent.

wild:The wild weather did not deter some people from swimming in the sea.

vio|let /va I əl I t/ (violets )

1 N‑COUNT A violet is a small plant that has purple or white flowers in the spring.

2 COLOUR Something that is violet is a bluish-purple colour. □  The light was beginning to drain from a violet sky.