nonlethal
adjective
non·le·thal
ˌnän-ˈlē-thəl 
: not lethal : not capable of causing death
a nonlethal gas
nonlethal weapons
a nonlethal dose of venom
Examples of nonlethal in a Sentence
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Lethal objects refer to missile warheads, while nonlethal objects—such as decoys—are countermeasures designed to help armed missile payloads penetrate missile defenses.
—
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Staff at the prison — also known as New Folsom — responded with chemical agents, warning shots and nonlethal weapons to regain control.
—Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2025
There are effective, nonlethal methods for keeping bears away from humans, such as public education, electric fencing, bear-resistant garbage containers and removal of roadkill and dead livestock.
—Benjamin Larue, The Conversation, 31 Oct. 2025
If tumors are small enough to be considered nonlethal, doctors should work with patients to monitor and continually assess their risk.
—Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonlethal
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Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Staff at the prison — also known as New Folsom — responded with chemical agents, warning shots and nonlethal weapons to regain control.
—Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2025
There are effective, nonlethal methods for keeping bears away from humans, such as public education, electric fencing, bear-resistant garbage containers and removal of roadkill and dead livestock.
—Benjamin Larue, The Conversation, 31 Oct. 2025
If tumors are small enough to be considered nonlethal, doctors should work with patients to monitor and continually assess their risk.
—Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonlethal
Cite this Entry
“Nonlethal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonlethal. Accessed 12 Dec. 2025.
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