sublethal

adjective

sub·​le·​thal ˌsəb-ˈlē-thəl How to pronounce sublethal (audio)
: less than but usually only slightly less than lethal
a sublethal dose
sublethally adverb

Examples of sublethal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Documenting often-invisible, sublethal effects in wild animals that are definitively linked to plastic itself has remained elusive. Matthew Savoca, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2023 But subtler, sublethal effects, like those described above for DDT, could be much farther-reaching. Matthew Savoca, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2023 The third is that this dosage was sublethal, just to send a message. Ellen Barry and Ceylan Yeginsu, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2018 There’s a growing body of evidence, too, that neonicotinoids may have sublethal effects, says Dennis vanEngelsdorp, a bee researcher at the University of Maryland who was not involved in the new study. Lindsey Konkel, National Geographic, 26 July 2016 There’s a growing body of evidence, too, that neonicotinoids may have sublethal effects, says Dennis vanEngelsdorp, a bee researcher at the University of Maryland who was not involved in the new study. National Geographic, 26 July 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sublethal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sublethal was in 1887

Dictionary Entries Near sublethal

Cite this Entry

“Sublethal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sublethal. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

sublethal

adjective
sub·​le·​thal ˌsəb-ˈlē-thəl, ˌsəb- How to pronounce sublethal (audio)
: less than but usually only slightly less than lethal
a sublethal dose
sublethally adverb

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