Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lethal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lethal are deadly, fatal, and mortal. While all these words mean "causing or capable of causing death," lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life.

lethal gas

When is deadly a more appropriate choice than lethal?

The words deadly and lethal can be used in similar contexts, but deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death.

a deadly disease

When could fatal be used to replace lethal?

Although the words fatal and lethal have much in common, fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction.

fatal consequences

When might mortal be a better fit than lethal?

While in some cases nearly identical to lethal, mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable.

a mortal wound

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of lethal James Osgood, 55, died by lethal injection on Thursday, April 24 at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Ala., according to a statement from the office of Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall. Nicole Acosta, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025 James Osgood will be executed by lethal injection just after 6 p.m. Thursday at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025 The mold attacked the roots of trees, especially old oaks, and the resulting stress left trees in Takoma Park and across the region vulnerable to lethal attack from ambrosia beetles. Mike Tidwell, Baltimore Sun, 23 Apr. 2025 But South Carolina lawmakers saw it as the quickest and most humane way to kill an inmate, especially with the uncertainty in obtaining lethal injection drugs. Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lethal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lethal
Adjective
  • At least eight people were killed in drone strikes across the country, a night after Russia launched its deadliest bombardment of Ukraine since the middle of last year.
    Todd Symons, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Listen to this article A woman driver who fatally struck a 57-year-old pedestrian in Brooklyn in January has been arrested— three months after the deadly crash, police said.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Across all suicide attempts not involving a firearm, only 4% result in death; but for firearm suicide, approximately 90% of attempts are fatal.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • That stretch proved to be fatal for the Heat, as the Cavaliers extended their lead to nine with 16.9 seconds to play and put the game away before Miami scored again following this rough late-game span.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But Palpatine's genius is less about those poisonous whispers than his plot to isolate Anakin from his friends.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The Big Bay Boom fireworks create a toxic fog of fine particles, poisonous aerosols and heavy metals that harm air, water and soil — posing serious risks to birds, wildlife, pets and people.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lethal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lethal. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on lethal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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