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.
However, there have been many reports that individuals with no criminal records or nonviolent offense that are sometimes from decades ago are being targeted in the heightened enforcement. Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025 The nonviolent protest at the Common on Saturday took place after last week’s pro-Palestinian rally in which protesters assaulted Boston Police officers, one of whom suffered a broken nose that required reconstructive surgery. Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025 Some demonstrators wore yellow – a symbol of unity and a reference to other nonviolent resistance movements, according to organizers. Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025 Mitigate risk, learn and innovate The success rate of nonviolent civil resistance is declining while repressive tactics by autocrats are evolving. Shelley Inglis, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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