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 But after autopsy results from the last inmate killed by that method showed that the bullets from the three volunteers nearly missed his heart, Stanko chose lethal injection. Arkansas Online, 14 June 2025 Some were lethal, like Potter’s syndrome, where the baby’s kidneys never develop. Dr. Shelley Sella, Time, 11 June 2025 Eve’s physical resourcefulness makes anything around her lethal — plates, ice skates, flamethrowers, samurai swords — honoring John Wick’s creative capacity. Armond White, National Review, 11 June 2025 Stephen Stanko’s attorneys told him that lethal injection would feel like drowning when a lethal dose of pentobarbital is injected into the inmate’s veins and there’s a rush of fluid into the lungs. Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for lethal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lethal
Adjective
  • Texan communities are dealing with the impact of the deadly flash floods along the Guadalupe River, which have killed at least 80 people so far.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 7 July 2025
  • The search for those swept into deadly floods in central Texas continued Sunday as the death toll climbed to 78.
    Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • Most had gone to sleep by the time of the fatal brawl.
    Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 5 July 2025
  • An attack in Boulder, Colorado, in June and the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington, D.C., in May, are two recent incidents of anti-Jewish violence that have rocked communities in the U.S. Advertisement Read More: The Rise of Antisemitism and Political Violence in the U.S.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • Erin Patterson has been found guilty of murdering three relatives with poisonous mushrooms following a trial that has gripped the world.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 July 2025
  • The atmosphere in the Rockies’ clubhouse is not toxic, unlike Chicago’s, which reportedly was poisonous for much of last season.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 4 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lethal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lethal. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on lethal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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