What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Violent vs Nonviolent - What's the difference?

violent | nonviolent |

Nonviolent is a antonym of violent.



As adjectives the difference between violent and nonviolent

is that violent is involving extreme force or motion while nonviolent is not violent; without violence; following a philosophy of nonviolence; the opposite of violent.

As a verb violent

is to urge with violence.

As a noun violent

is an assailant.

violent

English

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • Involving extreme force or motion.
  • A violent wind ripped the branch from the tree.
  • Involving physical conflict.
  • We would rather negotiate, but we will use violent means if needed.
  • Likely to use physical force.
  • The escaped prisoners are considered extremely violent .
  • Intensely vivid.
  • The artist expressed his emotional theme through violent colors.
  • (obsolete) Produced or effected by force; not spontaneous; unnatural.
  • * Shakespeare
  • These violent delights have violent ends.
  • * T. Burnet
  • No violent state can be perpetual.
  • * Milton
  • Ease would recant / Vows made in pain, as violent and void.

    Antonyms

    * peaceful

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (archaic) To urge with violence.
  • (Fuller)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) An assailant.
  • ----

    nonviolent

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Not violent; without violence; following a philosophy of nonviolence; the opposite of violent.
  • * {{quote-news, author=(Jesse Jackson), title=In the Ferguson era, Malcolm X’s courage in fighting racism inspires more than ever, work=(The Guardian) (London), date=20 February 2015 citation
  • , passage=When Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965 – 50 years ago on Saturday – I was an activist in the civil rights movement of Martin Luther King, a man of peace who led the nonviolent protests that brought down segregation in America, and ushered in the civil rights and voting rights acts.}}

    Synonyms

    * pacific

    Antonyms

    * violent