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
Recent Examples on the Web
The initial ruling blocked federal agents in Minnesota from arresting peaceful protesters or using pepper spray and other nonlethal munitions against them.
—
Alexx Altman-Devilbiss, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2026
Days earlier, the same judge blocked federal agents in the state from using pepper spray or nonlethal munitions on, or arresting, peaceful protesters.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
On Friday in Southern California, a 21-year-old protester underwent six hours of surgery after a Department of Homeland Security agent fired a nonlethal round at close range at him during a protest.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
By March 2024, the state had already spent $3 million reimbursing ranchers for damages caused by wolves throughout the northern part of the state, as well as the cost of investing in nonlethal deterrents to keep them away, such as fencing, flags and other methods.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 12 Jan. 2026
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Alexx Altman-Devilbiss, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2026
Days earlier, the same judge blocked federal agents in the state from using pepper spray or nonlethal munitions on, or arresting, peaceful protesters.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
On Friday in Southern California, a 21-year-old protester underwent six hours of surgery after a Department of Homeland Security agent fired a nonlethal round at close range at him during a protest.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
By March 2024, the state had already spent $3 million reimbursing ranchers for damages caused by wolves throughout the northern part of the state, as well as the cost of investing in nonlethal deterrents to keep them away, such as fencing, flags and other methods.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nonlethal
Cite this Entry
“Nonlethal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonlethal. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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