Violence is usually defined as the intentional use of force or power that harms, or is likely to harm, another person, a group, or even oneself, whether that harm is physical, psychological, or involves deprivation of basic needs.

What is violence? (Core idea)

Most experts and institutions agree on a few key points about what violence is.

  • It is intentional : someone means to use force or power, rather than an accident.
  • It involves force or power : not only hitting or killing, but also using authority or control in harmful ways.
  • It leads to or risks harm : injury, death, fear, trauma, stunted development, or deprivation (for example, denying someone food, safety, or freedom).
  • It can be directed at oneself, another person, or a group/community.

A widely used public‑health definition says violence is the “intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community” that results in or is likely to result in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation.

Types of violence (with examples)

Violence is not only “punching or killing”; it includes many forms of harm.

  • Physical violence : Hitting, kicking, beating, stabbing, shooting, strangling, or using weapons to injure or kill.
  • Sexual violence : Any sexual act forced on a person without their consent, including rape, coercion, or sexual contact with someone who cannot consent (for example, a child).
  • Psychological or emotional violence : Threats, intimidation, humiliation, controlling behavior, gaslighting, stalking, or constant verbal attacks that cause fear or trauma.
  • Neglect and deprivation : Failing to provide necessary care, safety, food, shelter, or medical help, especially to children or dependent adults, when that failure is intentional or part of a pattern of control.
  • Economic or financial abuse : Controlling access to money, sabotaging work, or using finances to trap or punish someone.
  • Property destruction : Smashing someone’s belongings, damaging their home or car, or destroying items to scare or control them.

These forms often overlap; for example, domestic violence can combine physical assaults, psychological control, financial abuse, and threats against children or pets.

Personal vs collective violence

Experts often distinguish violence by who is involved.

  • Interpersonal violence : Between individuals or small groups.
    • Domestic or intimate‑partner violence within families or relationships.
* Community violence such as fights, assaults, gang violence, or shootings.
  • Self‑directed violence : Self‑harm or suicidal behavior, where a person directs force or harm against themselves.
  • Collective violence : Violence carried out by groups for political, economic, or social goals.
* War and armed conflict between or within states.
* Terrorism, state repression, organized violent crime, or systematic abuses like genocide or torture.

In collective violence, the damage can be massive, affecting whole populations and generations.

How everyday language uses “violence”

In everyday English, “violence” often means severe physical harm, but dictionaries also note broader uses.

  • Common usage:
    • “Violence” = behavior meant to hurt or kill someone (“deadly violence,” “domestic violence”).
* News reports highlight shootings, assaults, and wars as “violence.”
  • Broader or metaphorical usage:
    • People talk about “emotional violence” for extreme verbal or psychological abuse.
* Some use “structural violence” for social systems that systematically harm or disadvantage certain groups (for example, discrimination that keeps people in poverty or denies healthcare).

* Dictionaries also list metaphorical senses like “the violence of a storm” or “violence to the text” (a strong, damaging distortion).

There is active debate in forums and public discussions about whether using “violence” for things like hate speech, misgendering, or economic injustice is helpful or makes the word so broad that it loses precision.

Why understanding violence matters today

Violence is treated as a major public‑health, human‑rights, and social‑justice issue in the 21st century.

  • It causes huge burdens of death, injury, and disability, but also long‑term trauma, fear, and disrupted education and work.
  • It can repeat across generations: children who grow up with domestic violence face higher risks of mental‑health problems and later involvement in violence, as victims or perpetrators.
  • Many recent news and advocacy efforts focus on:
    • Reducing gun violence and youth violence in cities.
    • Addressing gender‑based violence and violence against women and LGBTQ+ people.
    • Exposing war crimes, torture, and state repression in conflicts.

Because the word “violence” is used in legal, medical, and social contexts, having a clear definition helps professionals coordinate responses and helps survivors name what has happened to them.

Note: If you’re asking this for personal reasons or because of something happening around you, it may help to talk to someone you trust or a local support or crisis service; many organizations that address domestic or community violence offer confidential help and safety planning.