nonviolent

adjective

non·​vi·​o·​lent ˌnän-ˈvī-ə-lənt 

: abstaining or free from violence

nonviolently adverb

Synonyms of nonviolent

• peaceful
• peaceable

Examples of nonviolent in a Sentence

He argued that nonviolent drug offenders should receive shorter sentences.

Recent Examples on the Web

During the debate, Bailey restated his opposition to the state’s elimination of cash bail for nonviolent offenders and to sanctuary policies on immigrants that limit cooperation between state and local police and federal immigration authorities. — Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026

According to Flood, Forrest was a minimum-security prisoner serving a sentence for a nonviolent drug possession offense and was paroled in December 2025. — Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

The law, which initially took effect July 1, allows individuals convicted of other misdemeanors and some nonviolent felonies to petition the court to seal their records. — Liam Bowman, Washington Post, 1 Oct. 2026

Wiener has passed laws protecting net neutrality, capping prescription costs and mandating mental health parity, ending mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenders, and requiring corporations disclose their greenhouse gas emissions. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nonviolent

• violent

Kids Definition

nonviolent

adjective

non·​vi·​o·​lent (ˈ)nän-ˈvī-ə-lənt 

1

: not using violence : peaceful

2

: of, relating to, or marked by nonviolence