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 Jonathan David has been lethal in front of goal this season, netting seven in the Champions League and 14 in Ligue 1 for Lille. Julia Ranney, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025 Wendell Grissom, the death row inmate, received a lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. CBS News, 20 Mar. 2025 In many cases, blood, saliva and other bodily fluids are shipped to the chief medical examiner’s toxicology lab in Raleigh, which tests for drugs and other lethal substances. Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2025 In 2023, Idaho authorized the firing squad as a method of execution if lethal injection drugs were not available. William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lethal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lethal
Adjective
  • The first wave of deadly overdoses were tied to OxyContin and other prescription drugs, and subsequent waves have involved first heroin and more recently illicit versions of fentanyl.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Such an assessment could have prevented the deadly Key Bridge collapse, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said Thursday.
    Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Sometimes the women might be bleeding seriously or has a miscarriage or other fatal issues.
    Ellie Kaufman, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2025
  • State police are seeking witnesses to a fatal bicyclist crash on Tuesday night in Canyon County.
    Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • However, its seeds, flowers, and leaves are very poisonous.
    Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025
  • While shooting the scene, the snake handlers identified which snakes by color were poisonous and told Goggins not to touch them.
    Lexi Carson, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lethal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lethal. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on lethal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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