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 Fresh Start Act of 2022 proposed expunging certain nonviolent federal offenses, while the Weldon Angelos Act sought expungement for pardoned convictions. Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 All No Kings events follow a commitment to nonviolent action, according to the organizer’s website. Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025 State Republicans led passage of the First Step Act, billing the legislation that created shorter sentences for nonviolent offenders as an effort to end overincarceration. Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 8 Sep. 2025 So, for example, [third-degree robbery], which is forcibly taking property from a person, which is violent, that's deemed as a nonviolent crime. Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Nonviolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonviolent. Accessed 19 Sep. 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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