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
She's championed a groundbreaking bill that offers certain offenders with nonviolent criminal records a chance to have their cases automatically sealed, removing them from public view.
—
CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
The two charges carry a maximum penalty of six years in prison and a $350,000 fine, but sentences in cases involving nonviolent offenses typically are much shorter.
—John Diedrich, jsonline.com, 16 Dec. 2025
In some cases, pardoning individuals who acted under duress – and even willing but nonviolent collaborators who fully disclose their actions – can support postwar reconciliation.
—Valerie Morkevicius, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
Federal agencies have coordinated efforts to carry out widespread deportation actions, which have included nonviolent migrants, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, and some green card holders and applicants.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonviolent
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CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
The two charges carry a maximum penalty of six years in prison and a $350,000 fine, but sentences in cases involving nonviolent offenses typically are much shorter.
—John Diedrich, jsonline.com, 16 Dec. 2025
In some cases, pardoning individuals who acted under duress – and even willing but nonviolent collaborators who fully disclose their actions – can support postwar reconciliation.
—Valerie Morkevicius, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
Federal agencies have coordinated efforts to carry out widespread deportation actions, which have included nonviolent migrants, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, and some green card holders and applicants.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonviolent
Cite this Entry
“Nonviolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonviolent. Accessed 24 Dec. 2025.
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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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