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.
Minimum-security facilities typically house nonviolent, first-time offenders or those who have worked their way down from a higher-security prison due to good behavior, according to a prison consultant. Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025 Most eligible defendants are those accused of nonviolent state jail or third-degree felonies. Skye Seipp, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025 But overall crime, which includes nonviolent property crimes, is up 46% in Over-the-Rhine and Downtown, including a 12% uptick in violent crime, according to police statistics. Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 23 July 2025 In December, Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted on tax evasion and federal gun charges; commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 people on home confinement; and pardoned 39 people who were convicted of nonviolent crimes. Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 14 July 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 5 Aug. 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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