nonviolent

adjective

non·​vi·​o·​lent ˌnän-ˈvī-ə-lənt How to pronounce nonviolent (audio)
Synonyms of nonviolentnext
: 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
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.
The task force, created to fight violent crime in Memphis, has arrested over 800 immigrants, most for nonviolent offenses. Wendi C. Thomas, MLK50, 17 Apr. 2026 Because domestic repression against nonviolent campaigns increases public sympathy and support for the protesters. Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026 The vast majority of the more than 5,200 arrests made by the Memphis Safe Task Force in its first four months have been for nonviolent crimes. Wendi C. Thomas, ProPublica, 15 Apr. 2026 Luper led her students in nonviolent demonstrations to desegregate hundreds of establishments across Oklahoma during the 1950s and '60s. Maria Guinnip, Oklahoman, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nonviolent

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonviolent was in 1905

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nonviolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonviolent. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

nonviolent

adjective
non·​vi·​o·​lent (ˈ)nän-ˈvī-ə-lənt How to pronounce nonviolent (audio)
1
: not using violence : peaceful
2
: of, relating to, or marked by nonviolence
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