domestic violence

noun

: violent or abusive behavior directed by one family or household member against another
He helped start Austin's Children's Advocacy Center, which works with abused kids, and a family-justice division of the D.A.'s office, which prosecutes those accused of domestic violence and helps their families get back to normal.John Cloud
a domestic violence hotline
In another disturbing trend, women are victims of domestic violence that spills into the workplace.Sarah Henry

Examples of domestic violence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Biden’s nominee to take over the agency permanently, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, of Texas, withdrew from consideration after his nomination stalled in the Senate for more than a year amid rumors of a past domestic violence incident, a charge Gonzalez and his wife both denied. Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2025 Listen to this article A Connecticut man is in custody in connection with a stabbing reported during a domestic violence incident in Waterbury on Monday morning that landed a woman in the hospital with serious injuries. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2025 Defense attorney Cameron Talley said Ferguson had never before been charged with a crime, and had no history of domestic violence. Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2025 Legislators increased sentences for domestic violence. Sarah Lustbader, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for domestic violence

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of domestic violence was in 1891

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Cite this Entry

“Domestic violence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/domestic%20violence. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

domestic violence

noun
: the inflicting of physical harm by one family or household member on another

Legal Definition

domestic violence

noun
domestic vi·​o·​lence
: violence committed by one family or household member against another see also restraining order at order

More from Merriam-Webster on domestic violence

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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