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
But the trip is going to be an extreme test of fortitude, fate, and faith, evidenced by Lionsgate's preview revealing obstacles including a hellish radiation storm, monster waves, meteors pummeling the Earth, and lethal bands of desperate survivors prowling the continent.
—
Jeff Spry, Space.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Dozens of federal law enforcement officers in tactical gear deployed non-lethal munitions while pushing back a crowd of protesters outside the facility Saturday evening.
—Bill Kirkos, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
The left-wing ideology has now become as lethal as white supremacy.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
The violence so far has been less lethal than right-wing or jihadist terrorism that dominated past decades.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lethal
Jeff Spry, Space.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Dozens of federal law enforcement officers in tactical gear deployed non-lethal munitions while pushing back a crowd of protesters outside the facility Saturday evening.
—Bill Kirkos, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
The left-wing ideology has now become as lethal as white supremacy.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
The violence so far has been less lethal than right-wing or jihadist terrorism that dominated past decades.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lethal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lethal
Adjective
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During a three-day rampage of gang violence, some 80 people died — the deadliest days in El Salvador since its civil war.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
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One Pasteurella-like microbe carried genetic hints of virulence and has ties to deadly outbreaks in modern African elephants.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The crossover came amid recent turmoil, including Colbert’s show being canceled by in July and Kimmel's temporary suspension by ABC in September following controversial comments about the fatal shooting of political activist Charlie Kirk.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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And one expert has suggested that steel or concrete barriers can also help guard against deadly attacks like the one in Grand Blanc Township, as well as unintentional fatal wrecks and may even help businesses stave off plaintiff lawsuits.—
Frank Witsil,
Freep.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Powell County paramedic Eddie Barnes and one of his team members were called to the Kentucky Reptile Zoo in May after the zoo’s co-director, James Harrison, was bitten by a poisonous mamba snake, local news outlet LEX 18 reported.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
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Rather than allowing herself to be captured by the Romans, legend has it that Cleopatra let a poisonous asp bite her in Alexandria, according to the documentary.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lethal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lethal. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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