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 The schedule-makers smiled down on tournament viewers for this round of games, immediately giving fans a delectable matchup of lethal offenses. Jim Root, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 All are set to be executed by lethal injection except Mahdi, who has until next week to choose between lethal injection, the firing squad or the electric chair. Amanda Lee Myers, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025 In Oklahoma, 56-year-old Wendell Grissom was declared dead by lethal injection at the penitentiary in McAlester at 10:13 a.m. arkansasonline.com, 21 Mar. 2025 In Florida, death row inmates who choose lethal injection receive a three-drug cocktail consisting of a sedative, a paralytic and a heart-stopping drug, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Elizabeth Pritchett, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lethal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lethal
Adjective
  • However, all this rest and relaxation takes a deadly turn as a cloaked killer enters the premises.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 1 Apr. 2025
  • As fate would have it, the very destructive and deadly wildfires that swept through Los Angeles neighborhoods this year erupted as its city officials were struggling to close a large gap in their budget.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That is known as meconium aspiration syndrome – a potentially fatal condition that occurs in 5% to 10% of births but is treatable if diagnosed in time.
    Khwaga Ghani, NPR, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The ordeal ended with the fatal exchange of gunfire about 9:50 p.m., more than five hours after the first call to deputies.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The machine fed the Southern identity a poisonous diet for three decades.
    Peter Greene, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The editorial didn’t advise how to overcome tribal hatred and instead focused on the poisonous news of today — disruption and disorder in town halls and political vandalism of Tesla cars.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lethal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lethal. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on lethal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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