nonfatal

adjective

non·​fa·​tal ˌnän-ˈfā-tᵊl 

: not causing death : not fatal

nonfatal infections

a nonfatal wound

Examples of nonfatal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There have also been 213 nonfatal shootings, compared with 226 at this point in 2025. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

Healthcare and social assistance workers account for roughly 73% of all nonfatal workplace violence injuries involving days away from work. — Jason Fass, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

The allegations in the federal indictment mirror those brought by Minnesota officials, who have separately charged Castro with assault and false reporting of a crime related to the nonfatal shooting of Sosa-Celis. — Valerie Gonzalez, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

The officer, Christian Castro, is charged in connection with a nonfatal shooting in Minneapolis. — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nonfatal

• postnatal
• prenatal
• antenatal
• hiatal
• neonatal
• perinatal
• datal
• fatal

Medical Definition

nonfatal

adjective

non·​fa·​tal -ˈfāt-ᵊl 

: not fatal

nonfatal infections