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

In 1930, Mahatma Gandhi led the Salt March, a nonviolent protest against the tax, which had become a symbol of colonial oppression. — Zehra Jumabhoy, Artforum, 25 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, 17 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. — ABC News, 16 June 2026

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

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