nonlethal

adjective

non·​le·​thal ˌnän-ˈlē-thəl How to pronounce nonlethal (audio)
: 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
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.
Yet in 2023, USDA’s Wildlife Services devoted less than 1% of its $286-million budget to nonlethal efforts. Peter Kareiva, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2025 Multiple journalists have been shot with nonlethal rounds by law enforcement while reporting on protests—some of which escalated to riots—in Los Angeles over President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown in the city. Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025 The canine predators killed or severely injured 27 calves in March and April of this year alone, state records show, alarming ranchers and costing the state millions to reimburse agricultural losses and help pay for fencing and other nonlethal deterrents. Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2025 So now the ayatollah, who had a symbolic retaliation by firing some nonlethal missiles at the American’s Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, has to decide his course going forward. New York Daily News, Twin Cities, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for nonlethal

Word History

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonlethal was in 1625

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Cite this Entry

“Nonlethal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonlethal. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.

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