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
John Clouda domestic violence hotline
In another disturbing trend, women are victims of domestic violence that spills into the workplace.—Sarah Henry
Sarah HenryExamples of domestic violence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In May, Jackson filed a request for a restraining order in L.A. County Superior Court against Burgin, 21, alleging domestic violence.
—Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 19 July 2025
The couple’s relationship involved domestic violence, according to the documents from a London family court judge, written before Victoria’s body was found.
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 19 July 2025
Several people have already had their gun rights restored under Trump's second term, including actor Mel Gibson, who was barred due to his misdemeanor domestic violence conviction in 2011.
—Mandy Taheri
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
The original dormitories, now called the Rees-Jones Family Residential Building, are used to house women and their families who have experienced domestic violence and young men who have aged out of foster care.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for domestic violence
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.
Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 19 July 2025
The couple’s relationship involved domestic violence, according to the documents from a London family court judge, written before Victoria’s body was found.
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 19 July 2025
Several people have already had their gun rights restored under Trump's second term, including actor Mel Gibson, who was barred due to his misdemeanor domestic violence conviction in 2011.
—Mandy Taheri
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
The original dormitories, now called the Rees-Jones Family Residential Building, are used to house women and their families who have experienced domestic violence and young men who have aged out of foster care.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for domestic violence
Cite this Entry
“Domestic violence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/domestic%20violence. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share