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
Family members and neighbors questioned why police did not do more to de-escalate the situation or use nonlethal weapons.
—
John Bacon, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
Study up on the effects of the nonlethal weapons that could be used against you.
—Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 9 Apr. 2025
French, Polish, and other European military advisers could also provide lethal and nonlethal training within Ukraine to further professionalize the country’s military.
—Alex Crowther, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2024
Among the bill’s requirements would be an assessment of the current black bear population, strategies for minimizing human-bear conflicts, public education initiatives, nonlethal deterrence methods, evaluation of population control measures and waste management practices to reduce attractants.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonlethal
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.
John Bacon, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
Study up on the effects of the nonlethal weapons that could be used against you.
—Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 9 Apr. 2025
French, Polish, and other European military advisers could also provide lethal and nonlethal training within Ukraine to further professionalize the country’s military.
—Alex Crowther, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2024
Among the bill’s requirements would be an assessment of the current black bear population, strategies for minimizing human-bear conflicts, public education initiatives, nonlethal deterrence methods, evaluation of population control measures and waste management practices to reduce attractants.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 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 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share