Synonyms of lethal

lethal

adjective

ˈlē-thəl 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deadly
• fatal
• poisonous
• infectious
• infective
• killer
• harmful
• toxic
• dangerous
• murderous
• deathly
• terminal
• mortal
• destructive
• baleful
• hazardous
• injurious
• vital
• fell
• deleterious
• pernicious
• pestilent
• virulent
• baneful
• risky
• noxious
• sublethal
• serious
• perilous
• pestilential
• threatening
• menacing
• truculent
• ugly
• bloody
• unhealthy
• sanguinary
• grievous
• grave
• parlous
• unsound
• sanguine
• jeopardizing
• internecine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• healthy
• nonlethal
• beneficial
• healthful
• nonfatal
• wholesome
• salutary
• salubrious
• restorative
• curative
• corrective
• useful
• remedial
• advantageous
• tonic
• safe
• nontoxic
• alleviative
• nonpoisonous

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

Examples of lethal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For the past 12 months, the world has watched in horror as Israel has laid waste to Gaza in what Palestinians and many experts consider a genocidal military campaign—one of the most lethal and destructive bombing campaigns in history—armed and funded by the U.S. government. —Mustafa Barghouti, TIME, 9 Oct. 2024

The need is particularly acute for Black women, who are disproportionately victimized by lethal domestic violence. —Ashley Luthern, Journal Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2024

In a November 2022 WhatsApp exchange, the two men discussed targets and methods of lethal attacks. —Renee Maltezou, Cassell Bryan-Low, Yannis Souliotis and Phil Stewart, USA TODAY, 6 Oct. 2024

This new group, with Iran’s help, proved to be far more lethal and effective than the Palestinian militants Israel had successfully driven out. —Ben Wedeman, CNN, 29 Sep. 2024