nonviolent
adjective
non·vi·o·lent
ˌnän-ˈvī-ə-lənt 
: abstaining or free from violence
nonviolently
adverb
Examples of nonviolent in a Sentence
He argued that nonviolent drug offenders should receive shorter sentences.
Recent Examples on the Web
Republican-donor, profiteering private prison companies separating nonviolent people from their families, keeping them locked up for countless months.
—
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 June 2026
Civil-rights movements that challenge an oppressive status quo usually provoke a disproportionate response; in fact, the strategy of nonviolent resistance depends on it.
—Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
Federal sentencing guidelines generally call for probation for defendants like her who have no criminal history and are convicted of a nonviolent crime.
—CBS News, 3 June 2026
George Gascón, who eliminated cash bail for misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies and championed rehabilitation over punitive sentencing.
—National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for nonviolent
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Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 June 2026
Civil-rights movements that challenge an oppressive status quo usually provoke a disproportionate response; in fact, the strategy of nonviolent resistance depends on it.
—Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
Federal sentencing guidelines generally call for probation for defendants like her who have no criminal history and are convicted of a nonviolent crime.
—CBS News, 3 June 2026
George Gascón, who eliminated cash bail for misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies and championed rehabilitation over punitive sentencing.
—National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for nonviolent
Cite this Entry
“Nonviolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonviolent. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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