nonviolent

adjective

non·​vi·​o·​lent ˌnän-ˈvī-ə-lənt How to pronounce nonviolent (audio)
: 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
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.
At an event held at the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora in Miami, representatives from several universities and civic institutions praised Machado’s courage, nonviolent leadership and steadfast commitment to restoring democracy in her homeland. Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025 No Kings writes on its website that its events are nonviolent, and no weapons should be brought to them. Renee Umsted, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2025 Organizers emphasized that they are trained in deescalation and the event is meant to be a nonviolent protest. Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2025 Like Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar, who won the prize in 1991 for her nonviolent struggle for democracy, Mohammadi received the award while imprisoned—a status both women still endure today. Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nonviolent

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonviolent was in 1905

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nonviolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonviolent. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

nonviolent

adjective
non·​vi·​o·​lent (ˈ)nän-ˈvī-ə-lənt How to pronounce nonviolent (audio)
1
: not using violence : peaceful
2
: of, relating to, or marked by nonviolence
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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