as in deadly
likely to cause or capable of causing death
we were lucky that the snake's venom wasn't lethal, and our friend turned out to be all right
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Recent Examples of lethal
The smaller bombs, which at night can resemble orange fireballs, are difficult to intercept and have proven lethal.
—
Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 11 Mar. 2026
However, some police agencies began invoking Marsy’s Law for officers who used lethal force in the field, under the idea that the officers were victims, as well.
—Gabriel Velasquez Neira, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
The smaller bombs, which at night can resemble orange fireballs, are difficult to intercept and have proven lethal.
—Melanie Lidman, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
The result is poor drainage, which is lethal for most plants.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lethal
Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 11 Mar. 2026
However, some police agencies began invoking Marsy’s Law for officers who used lethal force in the field, under the idea that the officers were victims, as well.
—Gabriel Velasquez Neira, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
The smaller bombs, which at night can resemble orange fireballs, are difficult to intercept and have proven lethal.
—Melanie Lidman, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
The result is poor drainage, which is lethal for most plants.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lethal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lethal
Adjective
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Dan Morrison Eleven different countries have asked Ukraine for help in countering Iran's deadly Shahed drones, with request for interceptors, electronic warfare systems and training, Ukrainian Presiden Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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Yet Aster diagnoses them, and everyone else, with a deadly case of social media brain rot.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The man’s death marks Kansas City’s 24th homicide of 2026, compared to 26 at this time last year, according to data tracked by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
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According to the city's police department, the fatal accident occurred at 1990 S Flamingo Road.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Some are edible, some are medicinal, some are poisonous, all are beautiful.—
Carl R. Gold,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Mar. 2026
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This version is set in a seemingly poisonous, post-nuclear wasteland, filled with flaming tree trunks.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lethal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lethal. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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