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.
The law reduced mandatory minimum federal prison sentences for some nonviolent drug offenses and created programs to reduce recidivism. Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025 The rest appeared to be nonviolent offenders or people who were not suspected of a criminal offense at all. Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2025 The vast, vast majority of the millions of undocumented immigrants have committed no violent crimes or even nonviolent crimes. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 29 Jan. 2025 However, according to News, of the 1,179 arrests carried out on Sunday, nearly 48 percent were for nonviolent offenders or people who have simply crossed the border illegally. Martha McHardy, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near nonviolent

Cite this Entry

“Nonviolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonviolent. Accessed 22 Feb. 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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