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.
Although the Tesla Takedown organizers emphasize nonviolent actions, such as dumping Tesla shares, reports of vandalism have become common in recent weeks. William Gavin, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2025 Shots were fired at a Tesla dealership in Oregon, and at another, in Manhattan, arrests were made following a nonviolent protest. George Pendle, airmail.news, 15 Mar. 2025 An overwhelming majority of voters in November passed the measure, which reforms a pivotal 2014 law that made some low-level, nonviolent property and drug crimes, including stealing merchandise valued at less than $950, misdemeanors instead of felonies. Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2025 The Laken Riley Act, which requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain undocumented immigrants charged with even nonviolent crimes, was the first bill that President Donald Trump signed into law in his second term. Geraldo Cadava, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nonviolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonviolent. Accessed 1 Apr. 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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