German word

gewaltsam

Pronunciation

IPA/gəˈvaltzaːm/

Meaning

  • adjectiveviolent

Example

Die gewaltsame Auseinandersetzung dauerte nur Minuten.

The violent confrontation lasted only a few minutes.

Illustration for gewaltsam (violent)

More examples

Bei der Demonstration kam es zu gewaltsamen Ausschreitungen.

Violent riots occurred during the demonstration.

Core concept

A person or process forces its way through resistance by physical power or coercion.

Common phrases

  • gewaltsame Auseinandersetzung

    violent clash

  • gewaltsames Vorgehen

    violent course of action

Similar words

gewalttätig: Involving direct physical violence toward other people.
aggressiv: Showing a tendency to behave in a hostile or attacking way.
brutal: Using extreme force or cruel methods to treat others harshly.
handgreiflich: Involving physical fighting during an argument or confrontation.

Definition in German

gewaltsam meint eine Handlung, die durch physische Kraft oder Zwang vollzogen wird

Word origin

Gewaltsam combines the noun Gewalt, meaning force or coercion, with the adjective-forming suffix -sam.

Usage tips

  • Gewaltsam commonly describes an action, change, or conflict carried out by force, while gewalttätig more directly describes a person or group prone to violence.

Other meanings

  • fierceadjective

Opposites

  • friedlichpeacefuladjective
  • gewaltfreiviolence-freeadjective

Related words

  • Gewaltviolencenoun
  • gewalttätigviolentadjective
  • Gewaltbereitschaftwillingness to use violencenoun

Word lists with this word