nonfatal

adjective

non·​fa·​tal ˌnän-ˈfā-tᵊl How to pronounce nonfatal (audio)
Synonyms of nonfatalnext
: not causing death : not fatal
nonfatal infections
a nonfatal wound

Examples of nonfatal in a Sentence

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 that number decreased to 144 in 2024, the rate of nonfatal shootings soared to record levels. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2025 Whether by coincidence or as a direct result, six attacks on humans occurred between 2020 and 2022, all nonfatal and all but one targeting small children. — Malcolm Brooks Malcolm Hillgartner Krish Seenivasan Zak Mouton, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024 During the chase, the suspect was involved in a nonfatal hit-and-run collision near Brookhurst Road and Orangethorpe Avenue, police said. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024 One was nonfatal in 2023, but all three were fatal in 2024, the dataset shows. — Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 11 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for nonfatal

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonfatal was in 1854

Rhymes for nonfatal

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Browse Nearby Words

nonfatal
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Cite this Entry

“Nonfatal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonfatal. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

nonfatal

adjective
non·​fa·​tal -ˈfāt-ᵊl How to pronounce nonfatal (audio)
: not fatal
nonfatal infections

More from Merriam-Webster on nonfatal

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