nonviolent

adjective

non·​vi·​o·​lent ˌnän-ˈvī-ə-lənt How to pronounce nonviolent (audio)
: 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.
In late July, the government abruptly transferred Maxwell to a minimum-security, women-only federal prison camp in Texas where most inmates are serving time for nonviolent and white-collar crimes. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2025 Recent polls, however, suggest some Americans are turning on Trump's immigration policy amid reports that individuals with no criminal records or nonviolent offenses are being targeted. Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Aug. 2025 Saunders faces up to 12 months in prison on each count, although nonviolent offenders in Ohio typically are sentenced to probation. Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 6 Aug. 2025 King and other civil rights leaders relied on a strategy of nonviolent protest to expose injustice through public, visible actions. Stephanie A, The Conversation, 4 Aug. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Nonviolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonviolent. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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