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
The group emphasized its commitment to nonviolent action and urged demonstrators to de-escalate tensions with those who disagree with their values.
—
Kiah Collier, Austin American Statesman, 24 Jan. 2026
The Shakers, a sect of Christianity named for their ecstatic worship dancing, were nonviolent and refused to fight in the Revolutionary War upon settling in Upstate New York.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
Current law authorizes aging parole only for nonviolent offenders.
—Keaton Ross, Oklahoma Watch, 23 Jan. 2026
Experts say while some practices by volunteers are acts of nonviolent civil disobedience, others may fall into murkier legal territory.
—Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nonviolent
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.
Kiah Collier, Austin American Statesman, 24 Jan. 2026
The Shakers, a sect of Christianity named for their ecstatic worship dancing, were nonviolent and refused to fight in the Revolutionary War upon settling in Upstate New York.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
Current law authorizes aging parole only for nonviolent offenders.
—Keaton Ross, Oklahoma Watch, 23 Jan. 2026
Experts say while some practices by volunteers are acts of nonviolent civil disobedience, others may fall into murkier legal territory.
—Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 22 Jan. 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 25 Jan. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
