nonviolent

adjective

non·​vi·​o·​lent ˌnän-ˈvī-ə-lənt How to pronounce nonviolent (audio)
: abstaining or free from violence
nonviolently adverb

Examples of nonviolent in a Sentence

He argued that nonviolent drug offenders should receive shorter sentences.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
While serious criminals have been apprehended, a score of nonviolent immigrants have been caught up in immigration raids. Billal Rahman gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025 Out of 11 million undocumented individuals in the U.S., only 6% have criminal records — most for nonviolent offenses like DUI or reentry violations. U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025 The protests were mostly nonviolent, though some protesters took to looting, vandalism, and setting Waymo robotaxis on fire. Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 1 July 2025 Set in the working-class outskirts of L.A., Lolita follows Jesús (Alexis Vazquez), an openly gay man recently released from prison after serving a nine-year sentence for a nonviolent drug offense, who is determined to reclaim his life and reunite with his daughter. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for nonviolent

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonviolent was in 1905

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Cite this Entry

“Nonviolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonviolent. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

nonviolent

adjective
non·​vi·​o·​lent (ˈ)nän-ˈvī-ə-lənt How to pronounce nonviolent (audio)
1
: not using violence : peaceful
2
: of, relating to, or marked by nonviolence
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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