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
  • Days before Trump ordered the drone strike that killed him, Soleimani had orchestrated a deadly attack on a U.S. base in Iraq.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2025
  • Since Israel launched its Gaza offensive in the wake of Hamas' deadly October 2023 attack, the country has faced war crimes accusations from United Nations officials and human rights groups.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • And the mid-Atlantic recently saw its first fatal case of Heartland Virus.
    Pien Huang, NPR, 23 June 2025
  • The United States has struck a crippling, but not fatal blow at Iran’s nuclear weapons aspirations.
    Brett Schaefer, National Review, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Also, maybe, Regan, the king’s poisonous middle daughter.
    Han Ong, New Yorker, 22 June 2025
  • In addition to cyanide in her water, poisonous powder was also put in her air vents, prosecutors said.
    Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on lethal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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