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nonlethal

American  
[nahn-leeth-uhl] / ˌnɑnˈliθ əl /

adjective

  1. not lethal; not causing death.


nonlethal British  
/ nɒnˈliːθəl /

adjective

  1. not resulting in or capable of causing death

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • nonlethality noun
  • nonlethally adverb

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Current rules limit exports to nonlethal uses, such as rescue missions, transportation and minesweeping.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

Judge Menendez's 83-page order bars federal agents from arresting and "using pepper-spray or similar nonlethal munitions and crowd dispersal tools against persons who are engaging in peaceful and unobstructive protest activity".

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2026

The protester, a 21-year-old who asked to only be identified as K, had been hit by a nonlethal round fired by an agent only feet away.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 13, 2026

In 2013, the legislature passed a law requiring authorities to use nonlethal measures to handle mountain lions except in instances where they pose an imminent threat to humans.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 4, 2024

When one of 'em lines up with a live contact, you get quite a little jolt—guaranteed nonlethal.

From Gambler's World by Laumer, Keith